Police issue health update on condition of boy, 3, 'thrown into' crocodile enclosure

Police have said that a boy who fell into a crocodile enclosure and was allegedly thrown in is now no longer in a critical condition after being rushed to hospital.

Cambridgeshire Police, who have arrested and bailed a 30-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder, said: "The boy is no longer critical and is in a stable condition in hospital."

The three-year-old had been visiting Johnson's Zoo in Old Hurst, Cambridgeshire, last Thursday (18 June) when he fell into a crocodile enclosure, with an allegation being that he was thrown in from a viewing platform 15ft above.

The boy had been attacked by at least one crocodile in the enclosure and rushed to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge in critical condition, making the health update that he is now in a stable state a welcome one.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing, with the 30-year-old man bailed after it was deemed he was 'not fit for interview'.

The three-year-old boy's condition is now described as 'stable' in a welcome update on his condition (Johnsons Zoo)

A local who did not want to be named told Press Association that the wife of the zoo owner jumped into the enclosure to help save the child.

Following the incident, Johnson’s Zoo in Old Hurst said in a statement: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the boy and his family following the incident that occurred today.

"Out of respect to the family, our Tropical House will remain closed until further notice.

"If you have any questions about the incident, please direct enquiries to Cambridgeshire Police Constabulary.

"The rest of the site will remain open as normal. Thank you."

The zoo describes itself as 'a working farm and zoo with tropical gardens', with over 100 animals in their care including lions, tigers and crocodiles.

The crocodile enclosure has been closed and investigations are ongoing (Joe Giddens/PA Wire)

A reptile expert suggested to MailOnline that the boy likely landed on concrete and then fell into water, otherwise he would have been immediately bitten.

He explained that crocodiles in enclosures were typically well fed but would likely try to bite a human that fell into their area, adding that he 'absolutely would expect that animal to react and snap' to someone right next to it.

He said: "I wouldn't expect them to eat a child, but it would bite a child if it landed on it or by it.

"That's where the trouble would come - they have such a powerful bite. Even an investigatory bite would be catastrophic."

Voucher company Wowcher have apologised about the wording of an email they sent to customers which referenced the incident as the message invited them to 'Snap up these deals quicker than a croc can catch a kid'.

They said in a statement they were 'extremely sorry' for the 'unacceptable wording'.