A ZOO owner, along with his wife and son, leapt into a pit filled with 50 crocodiles to pry a three-year-old boy away from the dangerous reptiles.
New details from the crocodile horror story that unfolded this week have revealed that Tracey Johnson, her zoo-keeper husband, Andrew, and one of their sons, Edward, jumped into the enclosure to rescue the child.
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Tracey Johnson, Andrew, and their son rescued the child Credit: Andrew Styczynski
A tot was hurled 15ft into a crocodile pit by a stranger on Thursday Credit: Reuters
The tot was hurled 15ft into a crocodile pit by a stranger on Thursday and has suffered a broken arm and pelvis after being attacked by at least one croc.
Tracey Johnson, 55, who owns and runs Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo was one of the first to jump in after the child.
Her husband, Andrew, 56, clambered in after her, along with their son Edward, 29.
The three of them bravely rescued the child, and pried him away from the jaws of one of the beasts.
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The crocodile enclosure at Johnsons of Old Hurst in Cambridgeshire Credit: SWNS
Andrew first became interested in the animals after a trip to Florida Credit: SWNS
But it’s believed that the boy had already been bitten by either a saltwater or Nile crocodile, with the former known for having the strongest bite of any living animal.
It’s reported that the boy has suffered a broken arm and pelvis after being attacked by at least one croc.
Although the crocs have been raised in captivity, it’s in their nature to react to what they might deem a potential threat.
Speaking to The Times, Chris Newman, director of the National Centre for Reptile Welfare, said he spoke to the Johnson family on Friday evening.
He said: “We mustn’t underestimate how much of a difference Tracey made. She was first in there. She jumped in and dealt with an awful situation.
“She was then joined by her husband and son. It was a team effort. They are a resilient family but they are distraught. Their thoughts and concerns are for the child.”
Chris explained that the crocs might not have recognised the child as food because they are used to a diet of livestock offcuts.
At Johnsons of Old Hurst, visitors can pay £80 to feed the dangerous reptiles for 30 minutes.
Andrew first became interested in the animals after a trip to Florida as a teenager and adopted one of the creatures soon after.
He’s previously been bitten by a crocodile and says the best way to deal with them is to not break eye contact with them in to establish dominance.
A man, 30, from Norfolk, was held on suspicion of attempted murder, but was released on bail after an assessment of “not being fit for interview”.
The suspect was on a day trip to the zoo in Huntingdon, Cambs, when the incident happened around 1.30pm.
Cops are currently assessing the role of two carers who were meant to be supervising the vulnerable adult during the outing.
Cambridgeshire Constabulary said in a statement: “A three year-old boy from Cambridgeshire remains at Addenbrooke’s hospital in a critical but stable condition following an incident at Johnsons of Old Hurst.
“The boy, who sustained serious injuries while in the [crocodile] enclosure,was pulled out by staff from the zoo and received medical treatment at the scene before being taken to hospital.
“A 30-year-old man from Norfolk, arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, has been released on bail while detectives from our major crime unit conduct further inquiries regarding this incident.
“The man, who is not known to the victim, was assessed as not being fit for interview.”
