A three-year-old boy is in critical condition after he ended up inside a crocodile enclosure at an English zoo, and police have arrested a man on suspicion of attempted murder. Cambridgeshire Police reported that officers were called to Johnson’s of Old Hurst at 1:24 PM local time on June 18, 2026 following reports of the incident.

The boy was rushed to Addenbrooke’s Hospital with serious injuries and remains in critical but stable condition. A 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Detective Inspector Verity McCann stated that investigators do not believe the arrested man and the child are known to each other. Detectives from the Major Crime Unit are leading the investigation, speaking with individuals who were at the zoo to determine how the boy ended up inside the enclosure.

Specially trained officers have been supporting the boy’s family at the hospital. Johnson’s of Old Hurst confirmed that the crocodile enclosure will remain closed until further notice out of respect for the child and his family.