Man killed after climbing into tiger enclosure at wildlife park

Summarised from 3 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 13 Oct, 08:32 · Archive

A man died after climbing into a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster on Saturday. Emergency services were contacted shortly after 1.30pm. South Yorkshire Police confirmed the man was pronounced dead at the scene and that his family had been informed. The tiger involved, named Altai, was unharmed.

Witnesses described the man asking people to photograph him with the tiger before the incident. Visitors Anthony Hunt and Scarlet Hogan told outlets that a woman desperately tried to pull back the man as he attempted to jump into the compound. The man overpowered the woman, who was with her two children, and leapt from a bridge into the tiger pen. Ms Hogan said the man appeared to be 'in a trance, not in reality at all' and had his arms open ready for the tiger to attack him.

City of Doncaster Council, the licensing authority for the park, launched a health and safety investigation in line with its statutory duties. The council said it was working with police and health agencies to support the park's response to the incident. The park remained closed following the incident, with floral tributes left at the entrance.

How it is being reported

• Yorkshire Wildlife Park to remain closed for fourth day after fatal tiger attackA health and safety investigation has been launched into the incident at the Doncaster attractionEvening Standard · 13 Oct, 09:25
• Yorkshire tiger attack - latest: Victim of wildlife park horror 'so happy' before maulingYorkshire Wildlife Park, which is near Doncaster, remains closed today following Saturday's tragedy, with floral tributes left at the entrance to the parkThe Mirror · 13 Oct, 08:15
• What happened in the Yorkshire tiger attack? Police issue update on man killed in enclosureThe man was pronounced dead at the scene, South Yorkshire Police have saidThe Independent · 13 Oct, 06:10
• Yorkshire tiger latest: Man killed was visiting park alone, say police, as investigation launchedA council responsible for licensing Yorkshire Wildlife Park, where the man was killed by a tiger on Saturday, has started a health and safety investigationThe Independent · 13 Oct, 05:54
• What happened in the Yorkshire tiger attack? Police issue update on man killed in enclosureThe man was pronounced dead at the scene, South Yorkshire Police have saidThe Independent · 12 Oct, 18:37

In this story: Yorkshire Wildlife Park · Doncaster · South Yorkshire Police · City of Doncaster Council · Altai

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem