Family of boy, 3, thrown into crocodile enclosure issue heartbreaking health update as he undergoes multiple surgeries
The parents of the little boy who was allegedly thrown into a crocodile enclosure at a UK zoo have shared an update on his condition.
The three-year-old is facing a long road to recovery following the harrowing incident at Johnson's Zoo in Cambridgeshire on 18 June and has already undergone a handful of operations.
His family have now spoken out about how they have been 'living at the hospital' for more than two weeks as the toddler receives treatment for the serious injuries he sustained.
A 30-year-old man from Norfolk was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after the young boy was allegedly thrown 15ft from a viewing platform and into a crocodile enclosure at the zoo last month.
Advert
He was later bailed by police after it was determined he was 'not fit for interview'. It is understood that the suspect has learning difficulties and had been on a trip with carers.
The owners of Johnson's Zoo spoke out about what they described as 'one of the most distressing incidents in our history' earlier this week.
"Everyone who was on site that day acted with incredible speed and determination," a statement shared to social media said.
"Within minutes of the first radio call, the child had been rescued from the enclosure and was receiving first aid."
Incredibly, co-owner Tracey Johnson dived into the crocodile enclosure to rescue the three-year-old, while her husband Andrew and their son, Edward, also aided the youngster.
The family of the boy have expressed their gratitude for their quick thinking, and in an update shared to GoFundMe, they thanked the public for their 'generosity' and 'support'.
A fundraiser was set up for the brood by the toddler's grandmother to 'give them the financial stability they need as they navigate through this difficult time' and to help with future costs for his care.
It also explained his current condition following the police's latest update, which described him as being in a 'stable condition' after being 'injured by a crocodile'.
'It won’t be a short process'
The couple explained that their son has already undergone five procedures in hospital and faces the prospect of 'at least' two more.
Opening up about the 'very uncertain and unsettling time' they have faced as a family, the pair explained it is still not known how much 'feeling, movement and function in both of his arms, wrists and hands' he will have.
The update read: "We are extremely grateful for everyone’s generosity. We could never thank you enough for the support you have given our family in this horrible time.
"We have been living at the hospital for 2 weeks now and our son has undergone 5 surgeries.
"At this moment in time we know that our son is to undergo at least two more surgeries, one of those surgeries being a nerve reconstruction in his arm.
"These last two weeks have been a very uncertain and unsettling time."
It continued: "This uncertainty remains as we still don’t know the extent of his feeling, movement and function in both of his arms, wrists and hands.
"This will only be identified after casts and bandages are able to be removed and he can begin his rehabilitation journey.
"His rehabilitation journey is uncertain but we do know that it won’t be a short process. The money that has been donated so far has been used to pay for our expenses.
"We are both currently away from work and the time in which this will need to be the case is unknown.
"We have a newborn baby to look after, mortgage to pay for and other expenses including our car, food and bills.
"The donations have helped ease the pressure of these expenses so we are extremely grateful to everyone.
"Further donations will be used to support our son’s rehabilitation and to give back to the hospital who have helped us in many ways during this challenging time. Thank you."
The fundraiser has now raised more than £25,000.
Olivia Burke