Online shopping deal site Wowcher has been hit with backlash after using the horrific incident involving a boy, 3, who was left seriously injured after he was allegedly thrown into a crocodile enclosure in a marketing email
Shopping giant Wowcher has been hit with backlash after sending out an email that has been described as “disgusting” and in “bad taste” with a crocodile themed message.
Users of Wowcher took to social media after getting the email that appeared to base the subject for its special deals on the horror incident involving a three-year-old boy allegedly being thrown into a crocodile enclosure.
People signed up to Wowcher’s email marketing received the message on Saturday (June 20) at around 3:15pm with the subject “Snap up these deals quicker than a croc can catch a kid.”
The email went on to post its usually list of special deals with hotel stays, products and food related offers, but the subject sparked many to post online following the incident with the boy happening just days ago.
The boy remains in a critical but stable condition at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge following the incident at Johnsons of Old Hurst on Thursday (June 18).
It is understood that he was attacked by at least one crocodile after he was allegedly thrown into the enclosure.
Cambridgeshire Police said the boy “sustained serious injuries while in the enclosure” and “was pulled out by staff from the zoo”. Tracey Johnson, the wife of the zoo owner, reportedly jumped into the enclosure followed by her husband and son to save the child.
Police said the boy “received medical treatment at the scene before being taken to hospital”.
Cambridgeshire Police said a 30-year-old man, from Norfolk, was arrested before being “assessed as not being fit for interview”. He has been released on bail until September 18.
Screenshots of Wowcher’s email have been shared across multiple social media platforms with several stating they have complained to the company.
One said: “Talk about seriously bad taste Wowcher – who on earth thought that this subject line was ok?!”
Another wrote: “I was sent this. Have contacted wowcher and complained and also unsubscribed. Disgusting marketing.”
A third commented: “Wowcher you seriously missed with this. A child nearly being mauled and murdered is not a marketing strategy.”
A fourth added: “A little boy was seriously injured by a crocodile at Cambridgeshire zoo — one man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and Wowcher think this is a brilliant opportunity for reactive marketing.”
Wowcher have since apologised for the email and said “It should never have been written”. A spokesperson for the company also said they are “will take the necessary steps to make sure this does not happen again.”
A spokesperson from Wowcher said: “We are extremely sorry for an email subject line sent by Wowcher yesterday.
“The wording was unacceptable. It should never have been written, it was never approved for use. The responsibility sits with us and we are urgently reviewing how our processes failed. We recognise the hurt and distress it has caused, particularly for the young child’s family at this unimaginably difficult time.
“We are reviewing all scheduled marketing content while we urgently strengthen our creative, approval and sign-off safeguards.
“There is no excuse for this. We apologise unreservedly and will take the necessary steps to make sure this does not happen again.”
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