A discount retailer in the UK has apologised after it sent a marketing email referencing a horror incident where a child was thrown into a crocodile enclosure.
Wowcher sent customers an email on Sunday with the headline: “Snap up these deals quicker than a croc can catch a kid!”
Wowcher has apologised for a marketing email, seen here in a screenshot posted to Facebook Trisha Fearn
It came just days after a boy, aged 3, landed in a crocodile enclosure at Johnsons Zoo near the English university Cambridge.
The boy was taken to hospital in a critical but stable condition and a man unknown to him was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
The BBC reports the man has learning difficulties and was on a trip to the zoo with his carers.
In a statement sent to the BBC, Wowcher said it was extremely sorry for the “unacceptable” wording.
Crocodiles in the enclosure at Johnsons Zoo in Cambridgeshire. Supplied
“It should never have been written, it was never approved for use,” the statement said.
“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 company received significant backlash from customers on social media.
An alligator inside the crocodile enclosure at Johnsons Zoo. Johnsons of Oldhurst
“Absolutely shocking Wowcher you tossers,” Trisha Fearn wrote with a purported screenshot of the email.
“May it never be your kid hey. May it never happen to your family.”
Another customer, Ryanne Day, wrote: “Wowcher: You should be ashamed of yourselves!”
“Whoever thought this subject line was a good idea needs to assess themselves and decide if they chose the right career.
“I assume this company has an approval process before mailshots are sent?
“Yes, it got my attention… But for entirely the wrong reasons.
“I have a dark sense of humour, but THIS? This is disgusting!”
Amy Constable wrote: “Imagine being the parents and family of that young boy and seeing a company like wowcher use the awful incident as a marketing tool.”
“I’d be taking heads if that was my son.”
