Man killed by tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park enclosure named as William Chapman

A man who was killed after entering a tiger enclosure in Yorkshire has been named as William Chapman.

Mr Chapman was attacked by the tiger, named Altai, after witnesses said that he overpowered a woman who “desperately tried” to stop him entering the compound.

Footage posted online from his now-deleted Instagram account appear to show him approaching the tiger, who is perched on a wooden platform, in the moments before the attack.

Shouts can be heard in the background, urging him to get out and saying “Oh my God”, before the video ends.

The park remained closed for a fourth day as a health and safety investigation continues at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster.

Emergency services were contacted shortly after 1.30pm on October 10 when the man, who police said was visiting the park alone, entered the enclosure.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Anthony Hunt and his girlfriend Scarlet Hogan, who were visiting the attraction on Saturday, told The Telegraph that the man overpowered a woman and leapt from a bridge into the tiger pen.

“The man started praying to the tiger, bowing down to it – the tiger looked a bit confused,” Ms Hogan said. “Up until he got attacked, it was like he was in a trance, not in reality at all.”

“He had arms wide open ready for the tiger to attack him. It was quite bad. We were just stood there, frozen... the last thing we saw was the tiger’s jaw on his neck,” she added.

Witnesses have also described how shots were fired in a bid to distract the tiger and allow emergency services to enter the enclosure.

Visitors were evacuated from the park and air ambulances scrambled but the man was pronounced dead.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said they did not believe the man had been accompanied by anybody to the tiger enclosure.

City of Doncaster Council, which is responsible for licensing the park, said on Monday it had started a health and safety investigation.

Dan Swaine, executive director of place at City of Doncaster Council, said: “As the relevant licensing authority for the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, I can confirm that, in line with our statutory duties, the council has launched a health and safety investigation.

“We are also working with multiple agencies, including the police and health agencies, and are supporting the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in response to the incident.

“At this time, we won’t be commenting further on the individual or the investigation and we ask that the privacy of those involved is respected at this difficult time.”

In a previous statement on social media, the wildlife park said “many, many people” had contacted them about Altai, the Amur tiger involved in the incident, and it confirmed he is “safe and well” and will not be euthanised.

A statement on the website reads: “We can confirm that a serious incident has occurred on Saturday at the tiger enclosure.

“Our emergency response procedures were immediately activated, and emergency services attended the scene.

“The park will be closed today whilst we are working closely with the authorities. The Yorkshire Hive will remain open as usual.

“The safety and wellbeing of our visitors, staff and animals remain our highest priority.”

Yorkshire Wildlife Park opened in 2009, with the Land of the Tigers attraction opening in 2011.

The attraction is a purpose-built, two-acre reserve for Amur tigers, an endangered subspecies with around 500 left in the wild.

Photos of the enclosure on the park’s website show a high walkway for visitors and fencing above the section where the tigers can roam.