Hero zoo owners speak after rescuing boy, 3, from being mauled by crocodile

A zoo-owning couple have talked about the ‘distressing’ incident when a toddler was bitten by a crocodile after ending up in the enclosure.

The three-year-old was seriously injured last month after he was allegedly thrown into the crocodile pit by a stranger at the Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo in Huntingdonshire.

His rescue from the 15ft enclosure housing the deadly animals has been credited to the zoo owner’s wife, Tracey Johnson, 55, who pulled him to safety.

Tracey and her husband Andrew, 56, and their son Edward, 29, have been praised for jumping in to save the child, who has undergone multiple surgeries in a children’s hospital since the ordeal.

Now the family has revealed what unfolded in the critical few minutes after the alarm was raised: ‘A fortnight ago, our family and team at Johnsons of Old Hurst experienced one of the most distressing incidents in our history.

‘We were alerted to reports that a child had allegedly been thrown into one of our crocodile enclosures in the Tropical House.

‘Everyone who was on site that day acted with incredible speed and determination. Within minutes of the first radio call, the child had been rescued from the enclosure and was receiving first aid.

‘The emergency services arrived very quickly, supported by the MAGPAS Air Ambulance, and we cannot thank them enough for their professionalism, compassion and dedication in such difficult circumstances.

‘We would also like to express our heartfelt thanks to the visitors who stepped forward to help, including off-duty paramedics and police officers, whose calm and immediate actions made a real difference.

‘We are immensely proud of our own staff, who responded without hesitation and did everything they could to help and support the child until the emergency services took over.

‘The kindness we have received from our local community and from people across the country has been overwhelming.

‘Every message of support, every kind word and every expression of concern has meant a great deal to our family and our team during an incredibly difficult time.

‘Thank you for standing with us. Above all, our thoughts remain with the young boy and his family.

‘We continue to hope and pray for his speedy recovery and ask that they are given the privacy, compassion and support they need at this time.’

A 30-year-old man, who is described as ‘mentally disabled,’ was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following the incident.

He has been released on bail until September after ‘not being fit for interview,’ the police said.

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