Probe into care of man arrested after boy injured in crocodile enclosure 

A probe has been launched into the care of a man arrested after a three-year-old boy was allegedly thrown into a zoo's crocodile enclosure.

Police said the boy was "injured by a crocodile" after he ended up in the enclosure at Johnsons of Old Hurst in Cambridgeshire in June.

The ambulance service called police to the zoo at 1.24pm on 18 June to reports that a three-year-old boy had suffered serious injuries.

A 30-year-old man from Norfolk was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and was later bailed as police said he was "assessed as not being fit for interview".

The suspect in the case reportedly has learning difficulties and had been on a trip with carers.

Norfolk County Council, which did not provide any care for the man, said an inquiry under Section 42 of the Care Act 2014 has begun.

A Section 42 inquiry is carried out when a council believes that an adult in its area has care and support needs, is experiencing or is at risk of abuse or neglect and is unable to protect themselves due to those needs.

A spokesperson for the council said: "The individual in question is not receiving any care provided, commissioned nor paid for by Norfolk County Council.

"We can confirm that a Section 42 inquiry is underway. We're unable to comment further on an ongoing inquiry."

'Living at the hospital'

In a statement released last week, the boy's family said: "We would like to thank the staff at the zoo who rescued our son from the enclosure.

"We are truly grateful for the public support and well-wishes we have received, as well as to everyone who has been directly involved in our son's care and recovery in hospital.

"Our attention remains focused on his recovery and supporting him through this extremely challenging and prolonged period of time."

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Tracey Johnson, the zoo's co-owner, reportedly jumped into the enclosure to save the child.

Cambridgeshire Police said the boy, who has already undergone five surgeries, "faces a long road to recovery".

Meanwhile, an investigation has been launched after the medical records of the boy were accessed by around 40 members of hospital staff.

Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) has referred itself to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and is investigating whether all staff members had a legitimate reason for viewing his information.

The Department of Health and Social Care said it is also investigating.

(c) Sky News 2026: Probe into care of man arrested after boy injured in crocodile enclosure