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🇬🇧 United Kingdom /Conflict & Security

Wowcher apologizes for email referencing toddler crocodile attack

From The Guardian · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Wowcher has apologized for an email subject line that referenced a toddler's crocodile attack.
  • The email subject read, “Snap up these deals quicker than a croc can catch a kid!”
  • The company is reviewing its marketing content and approval processes after the "unacceptable" wording caused distress.

Discount voucher website Wowcher issued an apology after an email sent on Saturday included a subject line that appeared to reference a crocodile attack on a toddler.

Snap up these deals quicker than a croc can catch a kid!

— Wowcher EmailThe subject line of a promotional email sent by Wowcher.

The email's subject line read, “Snap up these deals quicker than a croc can catch a kid!” The company stated it was urgently reviewing its marketing content following the incident.

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.

— Wowcher SpokespersonThe company acknowledged its failure in approving the marketing content.

The offensive wording came to light after a three-year-old boy was hospitalized with serious injuries following an incident at Old Hurst zoo in Huntingdonshire. The boy reportedly ended up in an enclosure with Nile and saltwater crocodiles. He remains in critical but stable condition. A 30-year-old man arrested in connection with the incident has been released on bail pending further inquiries.

We recognise the hurt and distress it has caused, particularly for the young child’s family at this unimaginably difficult time.

— Wowcher SpokespersonThe company expressed regret for the impact of its email.

Wowcher described the email's wording as “unacceptable” and “extremely sorry” for the hurt and distress it caused, particularly to the young child’s family. A spokesperson emphasized that the content was never approved for use and that the company is reviewing its processes to prevent future failures. Detectives are reportedly scrutinizing CCTV footage from the zoo as part of their investigation.

There is no excuse for this. We apologise unreservedly and will take the necessary steps to make sure this does not happen again.

— Wowcher SpokespersonWowcher committed to preventing future marketing errors.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Guardian in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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