Parents of boy hurt in crocodile enclosure reveal extent of injuries after seven surgeries

A three-year-old boy injured in a crocodile enclosure has had seven surgeries but is "smiling again", his parents said.

He was badly hurt when he was allegedly thrown into the enclosure at a Cambridgeshire zoo last month.

His parents said surgeons on Wednesday "harvested a nerve from his leg to replace part of the nerve that was missing in his left arm".

They said it should help him regain some function in his left hand but the success of the operation wouldn't be known for a few months.

In their latest update, posted on a page raising funds for the family, they said his initial surgery last month lasted 12 hours and they hadn't been sure if he was "going to make it".

"The surgeons performed miraculous things," they wrote.

"They were faced with tendon damage, nerve damage, blood vessel damage, broken bones and severe tissue damage in both his arms, neck, head and face.

"Those were the worst 12 hours of our lives as before that we were signing consent forms involving resuscitation and amputation.

"We were unsure if our son was going to make it and that was the worst feeling in the world."

The boy is now in a stable condition at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge and his parents said they are "amazed at how far he has come".

More than 3,000 people have contributed in excess of £75,000 to help pay for his physical and psychological rehabilitation.

The child, who hasn't been named, was injured at Johnsons of Old Hurst, near Huntingdon, on 18 June. The zoo's co-owner, Tracey Johnson, reportedly jumped in to save him.

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A 30-year-old man from Norfolk was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder but was judged to be unfit for interview and released on bail.

An investigation has also been launched after the boy's medical records were accessed by around 40 members of hospital staff.

(c) Sky News 2026: Parents of boy hurt in crocodile enclosure reveal extent of injuries after seven surgeries