Toddler thrown into crocodile enclosure at Cambridgeshire zoo discharged from hospital

A three-year-old boy thrown into a crocodile enclosure at a Cambridgeshire zoo has left hospital and returned home. His family says he is happy and rehabilitation continues.

Boy, 3, home after crocodile enclosure attack at Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo

A three-year-old boy who sustained serious injuries after being thrown into a crocodile enclosure at a Cambridgeshire zoo has been discharged from hospital and returned home, his family has confirmed, according to the Daily Express.

The child came 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 to their GoFundMe fundraising page on Monday.

The incident took place on 18 June at Johnsons of Old Hurst, near Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. The zoo said at the time it had been "alerted to reports that a child had allegedly been thrown into one of our crocodile enclosures." A 30-year-old man from Norfolk was subsequently arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. He was later bailed after police said he was "assessed as not being fit for interview." The suspect reportedly has learning difficulties and had been on a trip with carers; an investigation into his care has since been launched.

The boy underwent seven operations during his time in hospital. His parents said all immediate surgeries are now complete, allowing the family to shift focus to recovery at home.

"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," his parents wrote on the fundraising page. "Both of us will continue to stay by our son's side as we support him on his rehabilitation journey. We attend the hospital frequently to find out the next steps and we work on them together as a family."

The GoFundMe campaign, set up to provide financial support and fund the boy's rehabilitation, has raised more than £113,000 to date. The family said the donations have covered immediate costs including bills, mortgage payments and lost wages during their time away from work.

As a gesture of gratitude, the family said they have purchased and donated new toys to the paediatric intensive care unit at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, as well as to the children's play team on the ward. The boy was described as "very fond of the play team," who "helped him be a little three-year-old boy by inventing new games and teaching him new ways to use his feet in play."

The family also donated to the Sick Children's Trust, a charity supporting families of long-term paediatric patients, and said they intend to make a further donation to the Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust (ACT) in recognition of staff involved in the boy's care, "including the supply of superhero costumes to brighten up his day."

"We want to thank everyone who has shown such kindness and generosity during what has been a considerable ordeal for us all," the family said.

The fundraising campaign remains active at gofundme.com/f/helping-the-family-of-3yr-old-injured-in-crocodile-enclosure.

Source: Daily Express