Toddler pulled from crocodile pit at Johnsons of Old Hurst after serious attack

A three-year-old from Cambridgeshire was seriously injured after entering a crocodile enclosure at Johnsons of Old Hurst. Staff rescued the child, emergency services treated him at the scene and a 30-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Visitors to the Johnsons of Old Hurst animal site near Huntingdon experienced a traumatic incident when a three-year-old child entered the crocodile enclosure and suffered serious injuries. The incident occurred at about lunchtime during a family visit. Staff pulled the boy from the enclosure and emergency services, including ambulances and the Magpas Air Ambulance treated him at the scene before he was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

Cambridgeshire Police confirmed that the child was initially in a critical state but that “The boy is no longer critical and is in a stable condition in hospital.” Detectives are continuing inquiries to establish the full circumstances of how the boy came to be in the enclosure.

The site, animals and enclosure details

Johnsons of Old Hurst is a fully licensed site located in the village of Old Hurst north of Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. The attraction hosts more than 100 animals and features a farm, a cafe and a butcher’s shop that opened 20 years ago.

Its crocodile facility, known locally as the Tropical House was constructed in 2009 and contains species such as Nile crocodiles, broad-snouted caiman and American alligators. The reptiles are kept in a converted barn beneath elevated, metal-fenced walkways; residents nearby have described the animals as being around 15 ft below the viewing platform.

Visitors who arrived shortly before the event noted the presence of “quite high fences” and “steel mesh fencing” around the viewing platform, and some saw the reptiles as calm and motionless in the minutes before the incident. Following the attack, the Tropical House was closed “out of respect to the family” while authorities and site managers coordinated their response.

Rescue, emergency response and hospital support

Staff at the attraction were reported to have pulled the child from the enclosure. A member of the family-run operation, Tracey Johnson entered the crocodile area to help remove the boy. A friend of the family said of her actions: “She put herself in immense danger.” Another witness described staff and the air ambulance arriving to treat the child at the scene before his transfer to hospital.

Specially trained officers were deployed to the hospital to support the family. Authorities stressed that the crocodiles present at the site were not seized or euthanised in the immediate aftermath of the attack. Investigators have been reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing staff as part of their fact-finding work.

Investigation, arrest and official statements

Cambridgeshire Police arrested a 30-year-old man from Norfolk on suspicion of attempted murder. Officers indicated that the suspect was white-British, that he was not believed to be known to the child, and that he had been visiting the site with carers. The individual was assessed as “not being fit for interview” and was later released on bail until 18 September. Detectives continue to examine the timeline of events and to interview witnesses connected to the case.

Det Insp Verity McCann commented on the progress of inquiries: “Our inquiries are ongoing as we continue to understand the circumstances surrounding this distressing incident.” Local elected officials also expressed shock and sympathy; Charlotte Lowe who represents Old Hurst on Huntingdonshire District Council and Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the young boy suffering in this.” Darryl Preston, the police and crime commissioner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said he had been briefed by Chief Constable Simon Megicks and added: “My thoughts go out to the family of the little boy involved in this truly horrific incident.”

Regulatory status and local oversight

The site’s licence was renewed in 2026 after completion of the statutory inspection and approval process. Huntingdonshire District Council noted that public safety is a central concern in licensing assessments, which examine the suitability of animal enclosures and visitor barriers. The council also stated it was not aware of any previous reportable incidents involving the crocodile enclosure and that its environmental health team was liaising with zoo managers to determine whether further inspection or follow-up action is required.

As the police continue their investigation, community members and officials remain focused on supporting the injured child and assessing any lessons for site safety and visitor protection. Authorities have asked anyone with relevant information or eyewitness accounts to come forward to assist ongoing inquiries.