In central England, a three-year-old boy sustained serious injuries after ending up in a crocodile enclosure at a zoo. A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
The incident occurred at a zoo located on a farm in Cambridgeshire. The circumstances of what happened have not yet been disclosed, but it is known that the child sustained serious injuries and was urgently taken to the hospital, reports NOS.
According to representatives of Cambridgeshire police, the boy's condition is assessed as critical but stable.
In connection with the incident, a 30-year-old man was arrested in the neighboring county of Norfolk. Investigators are considering him as a suspect in attempted murder. Preliminary reports indicate that the man and the child were not acquainted with each other.
The zoo is part of the Johnson family farm in Old Hurst. In addition to the zoo, the complex includes a farm shop, a butcher's shop, a tea room, and a steakhouse.
The premises house over a hundred animals, including crocodiles, Bengal tigers, African lions, capybaras, meerkats, and sloths.
According to Sky News, the crocodiles are housed in a converted cow shed, where raised walkways for visitors are separated from the animals by metal barriers. This facility is part of a complex called Tropical House.
Following the incident, the zoo management issued a statement on social media.
"In light of today's incident, our thoughts and prayers are with the boy and his family. Out of respect for the family, Tropical House will remain closed until further notice," the statement said.
The police continue to investigate and are trying to determine how the child ended up in the enclosure with dangerous animals.
The tragic incident has caused a wide public outcry in the UK. Investigators will need to establish all the circumstances surrounding the event, as well as how the three-year-old child ended up in the crocodile enclosure and what role the arrested man played in this.
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