William Chapman, 23, visited Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster on Saturday and was attacked after going into the animal’s pen, and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The man who was killed by a tiger after entering its enclosure at a wildlife park has been identified as William Chapman. He visited Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster on his own, entered the enclosure shortly after 13:30 BST on Saturday and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to South Yorkshire Police. An eyewitness described seeing him wearing headphones and “pacing around” near the enclosure before he went in. Mobile phone footage, believed to be from Chapman, appears to show the inside of the enclosure as he approaches the tiger across a patch of grass. A force spokesperson said his family was aware and was being supported by specialist officers. The park was evacuated after the incidentand remains closed as investigations continue. Chapman, who was in his mid-20s, was a former pupil of the Jackie Palmer Stage School in High Wycombe. As a child, he appeared in the ITV production May Contain Nuts alongside Shirley Henderson – who is best known for playing Moaning Myrtle in the Harry Potter films – and Darren Boyd.
In a social media statement, a spokesperson for the stage school said:
“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our former student William Chapman.ur thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with William’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. City of Doncaster Council earlier confirmed it had launched a health and safety investigation into Chapman’s death, which a spokesperson said was “in line with our statutory duties”.
Staff at Yorkshire Wildlife Park said their “thoughts and heartfelt sympathies” were with Chapman’s family and confirmed the rare Amur tiger, called Altai, remained in the enclosure and would not be euthanized.
