Boy injured in crocodile enclosure discharged from hospital

A three-year-old boy seriously injured in a crocodile enclosure at Johnsons of Old Hurst has been discharged from hospital and is settling back into his home. The child returned home a few weeks ago, his parents announced in an update posted online. He is reportedly happy to be home, playing with his toys, sleeping in his own bed, and being a big brother.

Incident and Investigation

Johnsons of Old Hurst, located near Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, stated on social media that it was alerted to reports of a child being allegedly thrown into one of its crocodile enclosures on June 18. Following the incident, a 30-year-old man from Norfolk was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. He was later bailed, with police stating he was assessed as not being fit for interview. Reports indicate the suspect has learning difficulties and was on a trip with carers. An investigation into his care has been launched.

Fundraising and Recovery

A GoFundMe page established to support the family financially and aid the boy's recovery and rehabilitation has raised over £113,000 to date. The boy's parents stated in an update on the page that it was "nice to have us all back together in the comfort of our own home." They added that with immediate surgeries now concluded, the family can focus on rehabilitation at home and supporting their son's recovery journey. The donated funds have assisted with immediate costs such as bills and mortgage payments, and have covered loss of wages during this period.

The family has also used some of the funds to purchase and donate new toys to the paediatric intensive care unit at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and to the children’s play team on the ward. They also plan to donate to the Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust to thank the staff involved in their son’s care. The boy has undergone seven operations since the incident.