Boy, 3, injured in crocodile attack returns home

9 hours ago

The boy from Cambridgeshire was visiting the zoo (pictured in April) with his family when he was attacked in June

Reuters A view from above of a crocodile on a sandy or muddy ground, sitting next to brown-coloured water in an enclosure. There is green foliage to the left. — The boy from Cambridgeshire was visiting the zoo (pictured in April) with his family when he was attacked in June

A three-year-old boy who was seriously injured in a crocodile enclosure has been discharged from hospital and is settling back in at home, his family has said.

The child returned home "a few weeks ago" and is "happy to be home, playing with his toys, sleeping in his own bed and being a big brother", his parents said in an update posted online.

The boy was visiting Johnsons of Old Hurst near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, with his family on 18 June when he was attacked by at least one of the animals.

In an update shared on a fundraising page on Monday, the boy's family said it was "nice to have us all back together in the comfort of our own home".

Cambridgeshire Police arrested and bailed a 30-year-old man from Norfolk on suspicion of attempted murder after the incident.

The red building with a white roof is the Tropical House, which contains several species of crocodile

Ant Saddington/BBC An aerial drone shot of the whole site showing several medium and large buildings or farm sheds, with three police cars parked in the courtyard. There are also formal gardens on the left side and lots of greenery. — The red building with a white roof is the Tropical House, which contains several species of crocodile

The family update added: "Now that we are home, our son's rehabilitation journey continues and we can focus on ensuring our son has the best possible chance at recovery.

"We attend the hospital frequently to find out the next steps and we work on them together as a family.

"All of his immediate surgeries are over with for now, which means we can now focus on rehabilitation at home."

In a previous update, the family said the boy had undergone seven operations.

They added that their son was "very fond of the play team" and "they helped him be a little three-year-old boy by inventing new games and teaching him new ways to use his feet in play".

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The crocodiles have not been seized or put down by the authorities (picture from 2025)

Kerena Cobbina/BBC A crocodile with its mouth open in an enclosure near a wooden walkway going through the centre. — The crocodiles have not been seized or put down by the authorities (picture from 2025)

The fundraising page was set up to support the family financially and help the boy's recovery and rehabilitation.

It has raised more than £113,000 to date.

His parents said the money donated so far had supported them "financially to cover immediate costs such as our bills and mortgage", and to "cover our loss of wages during this time".

They said they had been able to buy new toys for the paediatric intensive care unit at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge and donate money to the Sick Children's Trust charity.

They said they also want to donate to the Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust (ACT) to thank staff who were involved in their son's care "including the supply of superhero costumes to brighten up his day".

They thanked everyone who had "shown such kindness and generosity during what has been a considerable ordeal for us all".

The BBC understands the arrested man, who did not know the child, has learning disabilities and was on a trip with carers.

He was released on bail until 18 September and police said he was "assessed as not being fit for interview".