Investigation is launched into carers who 'bundled suspect into car and tried to drive away' from zoo after boy, three, was thrown into crocodile pit

By OLIVIA CHRISTIE, NEWS REPORTER Published: 18:56, 4 July 2026 | Updated: 18:59, 4 July 2026 A council is investigating the care given to a disabled man accused of throwing a three-year-old boy into a crocodile pit over suspected neglect concerns.  Norfolk County Council has opened a safeguarding inquiry into the support provided to the 30-year-old after he was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder on June 18.  The suspect, who has a learning disability, was visiting Johnsons of Old Hurst in Cambridgeshire with two carers when the small child was thrown 15ft into an enclosure with at least 15 crocodiles.  He was released on bail hours after his arrest - with police deeming him unfit for interview.  A source with knowledge of the case claimed his two carers left the enclosure with the suspect shortly after the zoo's owners jumped in to save the boy. 'They [the carers] tried to get him into the car. Another member of staff was there and prevented them from leaving,' the insider said. Witnesses also told the Daily Mail the carers were 'on their phones' and 'ten metres behind' the suspect when he allegedly picked up the boy, lifted him over a security fence and hurled him into the enclosure. Norfolk County Council has now revealed that a Section 42 inquiry into the man's care is currently underway.  Police are seen at Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo after a three-year-old boy was thrown into a crocodile enclosure  Crocodiles pictured in the enclosure at Johnsons zoo. It is understood the boy was bitten by a saltwater or Nile crocodile Owners Andy and Tracey Johnson (left), pictured in 2009 with a 400lb crocodile, jumped into the enclosure to rescue the boy after he was thrown in  This will seek to determine whether he was at risk of, or experiencing, abuse or neglect while in care.  The council added it had stopped referrals to the care provider involved in the suspect's case, when asked by The Telegraph.  A spokesperson for the local authority said it was working with 'partners in the health and care system to identify and review all those individuals receiving care from this provider and to ensure the care they are receiving is of the quality and consistency they expect and deserve'.  While the suspect was from Norfolk, it is understood his care was not commissioned, provided or paid for by Norfolk County Council. Earlier today, it was revealed that the three-year-old victim had endured five surgeries since the incident - and faces a further two operations.  A fundraising page set up to support his recovery and rehabilitation while he remains in Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridgeshire, has now raised more than £25,000. The boy's parents said in a statement on the page: 'We are extremely grateful for everyone's generosity. 'We could never thank you enough for the support you have given our family in this horrible time.' They added: 'We have been living at the hospital for two weeks now and our son has undergone five surgeries.'  The boy reportedly landed on a concrete walkway, suffering a broken arm and pelvis, after he was thrown into the enclosure.  Your browser does not support iframes. He was then bitten by what is thought either to have been a saltwater or Nile crocodile. Andy and Tracey Johnson, the zoo's owners, said the boy's experience was 'one of the most distressing' events in their business's history. Mrs Johnson jumped into the enclosure to rescue the boy before her husband and their son Edward did the same. In a statement, the couple said: 'We were alerted to reports a child had allegedly been thrown into one of our crocodile enclosures in the Tropical House. 'Everyone who was on site that day acted with incredible speed and determination. 'Within minutes of the first radio call, the child had been rescued from the enclosure and was receiving first aid. 'The emergency services arrived very quickly, supported by the MAGPAS Air Ambulance. 'We cannot thank them enough for their professionalism, compassion and dedication in such difficult circumstances. 'We are immensely proud of our own staff, who responded without hesitation and did everything they could to help and support the child until the emergency services took over.' Originally a dairy farm, Johnsons zoo also has a butcher's, farm shop, tea room and steak house. According to its website, the crocodiles were initially kept to help dispose of waste meat from the butchery but they went on to be the start of a zoo, which is now home to more than 100 animals including lions, tigers, sloth bears, capybaras and meerkats. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. 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