Credit: Adobe Stock / X
Coupon Company Apologizes For Disturbing Advert Mocking Toddler Thrown Into Crocodile Enclosure
A coupon company has been forced to apologize after a marketing email appeared to mock a tragic incident involving a toddler and a crocodile.
It comes after a three-year-old boy was rushed to hospital with serious injuries in the UK on Thursday, June 18, with police confirming he is no longer in a critical condition.
The little boy is believed to have been attacked by at least one crocodile at Johnsons of Old Hurst near Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, after a stranger picked him up and threw him into the crocodile enclosure.
Man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder
A man in his thirties was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder, however he was later released on bail after it was deemed he was ‘unfit for interview’.
The man, who is believed to be unknown to the boy, is suspected to have learning disabilities and was accompanied by two carers when visiting the zoo on the day of the incident.
He remains on bail until September 18, however police have said he was ‘assessed as not being fit for interview’.
Detectives from the Major Crime Unit are now assessing CCTV footage in a bid to try and piece together the circumstances that led to the horrific events, as per The Sun.
Zoo staff stepped in to rescue boy
The zoo, which is run by the Johnson family, has previously appeared on TV in a two-part documentary with Ross Kemp.
In the ITV show, titled Britain’s Tiger Kings, owner Andrew Johnson controversially claimed he wanted to be fed to his crocodiles and alligators when he died.
Despite the controversy, Andrew, his wife Tracey and their youngest son Edward, are all being heaped in praise for their efforts in leaping into action to save the young boy from any further harm after the incident occured.
Tracey was said to be first on the scene, jumping into the crocodile enclosure to get the young boy to safety, with all three family members being hailed ‘heroes.’
Chris Newman, director of the National Centre for Reptile Welfare, told the BBC the family were ‘all very distraught.’
“Tracey was the first on the scene, but she was then joined by her husband Andy and their youngest son Edward. All three were involved in the rescue,” he revealed.
“All three were heroes… they’re a close-knit family and they’re still quite shaken by it.”
What the actual f @wowcher? pic.twitter.com/v7B83k8sch
— Paul O'Brien (@PaulOBrien) June 20, 2026
The ‘unacceptable email’ in question
While the incident has understandably caused a lot of distress in the UK, British coupon company Wowcher has now come under fire after appearing to make light of the situation in a marketing email.
Wowcher has since issued an apology, saying it is extremely sorry for the ‘unacceptable’ wording in the email.
“We are extremely sorry for an email subject line sent by Wowcher yesterday,” a spokesperson for the company said in a statement.
“The wording was unacceptable. It should never have been written. It was never approved for use.
“The responsibility sits with us and we are urgently reviewing how our processes failed.
“We recognise the hurt and distress it has caused, particularly for the young child’s family at this unimaginably difficult time.”
The Wowcher rep went on to confirm it is ‘urgently’ working to improve how marketing content is approved.
“There is no excuse for this,” they said. “We apologise unreservedly and will take the necessary steps to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
The apology comes after screenshots emerged online, showing the email sent to customers on Saturday, June 20, just two days after the attack.
The email featured a list of various different discounted activities and vacations, with the subject line: “Snap up these deals quicker than a croc can catch a kid!”
Many customers who received the email took to social media to call out the ‘disgusting’ wording.
“Emailed them back but no answer. Won’t be using them again for sure, even if it’s a poor effort at a joke somehow,” one customer wrote on X.
Another added: “Wowcher takes the 2026 prize for the most unbelievably crass and cruel email. I encourage everyone to unsubscribe and boycott this appallingly insensitive company.”
A third quipped: “It’s actually reassuring to think whatever mistakes we make in marketing, they could never be THIS much of a mistake. Christ on a bike Wowcher.”
Related Article: Terrifying Moment Tourist’s Bungee Jump Completely Snaps Mid-Air
Related Article: Influencer’s Cause Of Death Confirmed After Being Found Dead On Tycoon’s Boat
Want more stuff like this?
Get the best viral stories straight into your inbox!
