Despite the improvement, his loved ones added the boy still has “little movement in three of his left fingers and no movement in his right fingers” three weeks on
The parents of a toddler who was allegedly thrown into a crocodile pit have told how he has just undergone a sixth operation and skin grafts.
The three-year-old boy remains in a stable condition at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge three weeks after the horror, which led to him being attacked by at least one of the giant reptiles. His family said he still had “little movement in three of his left fingers and no movement in his right fingers”, but they added he was finally smiling again.
In a new message, posted on GoFundMe, his parents said: “We are still at the hospital and our son had his sixth surgery on Tuesday. The surgery was a success. A week ago, the surgeons had to do a skin graft in two places on his left arm. In this weeks surgery they confirmed that the grafts had taken and they were starting to heal. They were also able to look at all of his external wounds and are happy with the way that they are healing.
“This is all positive news and has really lifted our spirits. A special thank you goes to all the amazing people who work at Addenbrooke’s hospital. They have done so much to make our little boy smile including dressing up as his favourite super heroes. This has been a relief for us to see – our boy being happy again.”
The boy, who has not been named, reportedly suffered a broken arm and pelvis at Johnsons of Old Hurst, near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, on June 18, before the zoo’s owners, including Andy and Tracey Johnson and their son Edward, heroically leapt into the crocodile enclosure to save his life.
A 30-year-old man from Norfolk was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder before being released on bail until September 18 after being ruled unfit to be interviewed. He reportedly has severe learning difficulties and was being chaperoned by carers when he allegedly threw the boy over a 4ft barrier into the 15ft deep enclosure.
The online fundraiser was set up by a wellwisher to support the boy’s physical and psychological recovery and rehabilitation and has now reached more than £62,000. Writing on the account on Wednesday night, his parents said: “Thank you again for everyone’s generosity. We are blown away by the support we have received.
“A special thank you to the young girl and her grandmother who sent him a superhero costume today. He really is our little superhero and he has been so brave and resilient the past three weeks.”
They added: “However, when celebrating the little wins we know there is still a long way to go. Although the external wounds are healing nicely, the nerve and tendon damage still brings uncertainty.
“Currently he has little movement in three of his left fingers and no movement in his right fingers. We spoke to the surgeons today and his nerves will take months to heal and recover before we are even able to tell what function he truly has.
“We are optimistic but know it is a long journey ahead. Thank you again for all your support and the love and care you have shown our little boy and our family. We are forever grateful.”
Addenbrooke’s, the hospital where the boy is being treated, is reportedly being probed after his medical records were accessed by 40 staff. Cambridge University Hospitals has referred itself to the Information Commissioner’s Office and is investigating whether they had a legitimate reason to view his records.
