Man killed after entering tiger enclosure at Yorkshire zoo

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 14:32 · Archive

William Chapman, believed to be in his early 20s, died after entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster on Saturday.

William Chapman, believed to be in his early 20s, died after entering the enclosure of Altai, a five-year-old Amur tiger, at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster on Saturday afternoon. Park rangers discharged warning shots to try to frighten the animal away before it withdrew and was secured. Emergency services arrived shortly after 1.30pm but Mr Chapman was declared dead at the scene.

Witness Anthony Hunt said a woman tried to pull Mr Chapman back moments before he entered the enclosure, but he overpowered her. Mr Hunt also said he had seen Mr Chapman "dancing erratically" when arriving at the park earlier that day. Footage reportedly filmed by Mr Chapman shows him moving towards the tiger as members of the public urged him to retreat. One eyewitness described seeing blood and the tiger "dragging the man" by his neck.

Police described Mr Chapman as vulnerable. A health and safety investigation is under way following the incident.

How it is being reported

• Man named after fatal tiger incident at Yorkshire Wildlife ParkA health and safety investigation is under way after William Chapman died in the Land of the Tigers enclosure on Saturday.Chorley Guardian · 13 Oct, 13:57
• Yorkshire Wildlife Park tiger attack victim named and pictured after zoo tragedyThe man who was killed by a tiger after entering its enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster last week has been named as William Chapman, who is believed to have been in his early 20sLancsLive · 13 Oct, 13:44

In this story: William Chapman · Altai · Yorkshire Wildlife Park · Doncaster · South Yorkshire

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