Carers ‘tried to get croc attack suspect into car and leave’ after boy, 3, thrown into pit
A source has claimed the suspect who is accused of hurling a toddler into a crocodile enclosure was rushed into a car by carers who attempted to flee the scene after the incident broke out
The boy was left in critical condition after he was thrown into the pit (Image: Newsquest / SWNS)
A suspect who is accused of hurling a three-year-old child into a crocodile enclosure was reportedly hurried into a car by his carers after the horrific incident.
It is understood the toddler was left in critical condition after one of the crocodiles in the enclosure bit him. The kid suffered a broken arm and pelvis after being sent plummeting 15ft down into the croc pit. The victim of the croc attack was on a day out with his mother and his younger sibling at Johnsons of Old Hurst Zoo, Cambridgeshire. Luckily the owner of the zoo, Tracey Johnson, leapt into the croc enclosure to save the kid from further harm from the beasts.
The tot was raced to Addenbrooke’s Hospital for treatment. Thankfully on Monday the toddler left after initially being in a critical condition. The croc enclosure the child was allegedly thrown into contained 15 crocodiles. Police are currently investigating the suspect’s two carers who were looking after him.
A source speaking to the Telegraph stated after the kid was thrown into the enclosure the suspect’s carers took the man – who reportedly suffers with learning difficulties – to the car park and put him in a car trying to leave the zoo. The source discussing the carer’s behaviour stated: “They tried to get him into the car”. But “another member of staff was there and prevented them from leaving” the source added.
These claims follow accusations the suspect’s carers were on the phone while the trio made it around the zoo. A mother in her 20s stated: “Someone later described the man that did it and said he was with carers.
“I don’t know if it was definitely him but I saw one bloke of a bigger build, he had two carers with him and they weren’t paying him much attention.
“If it was him, his carers were maybe ten metres behind him and not paying much attention. They were English and chatting among themselves and on their phone.”
Police stated they arrested a 30-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder. However they have since released the suspect on bail until September 18. Police have stated the reason for the suspect’s release was due to him not being “fit for interview”.
Chris Newman, 67, director of the National Centre for Reptile Welfare, stated biting was a croc’s natural reflex. The croc expert stated: “To bite is their natural reaction — they are predators. They’re used to people and well fed but it would still be their nature to snap.
“The issue is the force of the bite can be horrific and it depends what size the crocodile was.”
Newman, who is a friend of Johnsons, stated: “My heart goes out to Tracey and to the child. She’s a lovely person, but she can be a tigress and her motherly instincts would have kicked in. I know her.
“That’s exactly what Tracey would have done and if she was involved she would have known how to deal with the crocodiles.”
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