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William Chapman has been identified as the man who tragically lost his life after entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster. The incident occurred shortly after 13:30 BST on Saturday, and authorities confirmed that Chapman was pronounced dead at the scene. South Yorkshire Police confirmed that Chapman was visiting the park alone at the time of the event.
According to an eyewitness, Chapman was seen wearing headphones and pacing near the enclosure before entering it. Reports describe him climbing down from a walkway to access the tiger’s area. Despite efforts by onlookers to distract the tiger, the attack took place swiftly. A video circulating on social media, believed to have been posted from Chapman’s account, shows him approaching the tiger inside the enclosure with bystanders shouting warnings, though the video ends soon after and the account has since been removed.
In the wake of the incident, the park was evacuated and remains closed as investigations are ongoing. South Yorkshire Police have informed Chapman’s family, who are being supported by specialist officers during this difficult time. Additionally, City of Doncaster Council has launched a health and safety investigation in accordance with their statutory responsibilities. Yorkshire Wildlife Park expressed their “thoughts and heartfelt sympathies” to the family, confirming that the Amur tiger involved, named Altai, will remain in the enclosure and will not be euthanised.
Ella Ford, a 24-year-old visitor from Moreton, Wirral, recounted her experience at the park on the day of the incident. She was there with her boyfriend and had filmed the tiger shortly before the attack. Ford said she observed Chapman pacing near the enclosure with headphones in and later saw him climb onto the barriers. She described a woman speaking with him before he jumped into the enclosure and lay down in front of the tiger, which was perched on a wooden platform. Ford witnessed the tiger grab hold of Chapman as he shouted for help. She noted that around 15 to 20 people were on the raised walkway before staff quickly evacuated visitors, adding that the crowd appeared confused and distressed by the situation
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