World of the Bizarre

Child attacked by crocodile after being 'thrown into the enclosure'

By T.K. Randall
June 19, 2026

Image: Nile Crocodile (illustrative)
Credit: Leigh Bedford / CC BY 2.0 (adapted) Every parent's worst nightmare became reality this week when police were called to attend reports of a small boy falling into a crocodile enclosure at Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo in Cambridgeshire, England.

According to news outlets, staff at the zoo - possibly even including the owner's wife - had jumped into the enclosure to save the child who now remains in a critical, but stable condition in hospital.

More worryingly, some reports indicate that a man - who has since been arrested - may have actually pushed or even thrown the small boy into the enclosure in the first place.The man was said to be "not fit to be interviewed", potentially due to mental health issues, though police have yet to fully determine or confirm the circumstances surrounding the incident.

It also isn't clear how long the boy was inside the enclosure.

"Our enquiries are ongoing as we continue to understand the circumstances surrounding this distressing incident," Det Insp Verity McCann said in a statement.

"Our thoughts remain with the boy, and his family and specialist officers continue to support them through this difficult time."

Source: BBC News

Tags: Crocodile