Family pays tribute to 'bright, warm and engaging' young man killed by tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park
William Chapman, in his mid-20s, died after entering the tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster. His family said he had suffered from significant mental illness for years and described him as a bright, warm and engaging young man.
A young man who died after entering a tiger enclosure at a wildlife park in South Yorkshire has been named by his family as William Chapman, who was in his mid-20s. In a statement released through police, his relatives described him as a «bright, warm and engaging young man» and said he had suffered from significant mental illness over a number of years.
Mr Chapman died at the scene of the incident at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster on Saturday afternoon. Emergency services were called at around 1.30pm after he entered the tiger's pen during a visit to the park. Despite the efforts of staff and paramedics, he could not be saved.
The family's tribute also disclosed that Mr Chapman had been prescribed strong medication as part of his treatment. They said he was «dearly loved» and asked for privacy while they come to terms with their loss. The statement did not elaborate on the circumstances that led him to enter the enclosure.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park, which is home to a range of animals including tigers, has not commented publicly on how the incident unfolded. The park was closed following the death, and visitors were evacuated. Police have said there were no suspicious circumstances and that the case will be passed to the coroner.
The death has raised questions about safety and access at wildlife parks, though no details have been released about how Mr Chapman was able to enter the enclosure. The park's tiger area is designed with barriers and moats to separate animals from the public, and an investigation is expected to examine whether any of those measures were breached.
Mental health charities have noted that families often face stigma and isolation when a relative with a serious mental illness dies in sudden or public circumstances. The family's decision to speak openly about Mr Chapman's condition was described by local support groups as a reminder of the pressures faced by carers and relatives.
South Yorkshire Police confirmed that officers were called to the park and that a file is being prepared for the coroner. A spokesperson said the force's thoughts are with Mr Chapman's family and friends. No arrests have been reported.
The incident is not the first time a member of the public has entered an animal enclosure at a UK zoo or wildlife park. In recent years, several cases have prompted reviews of perimeter security, staff training and emergency response procedures. Industry bodies have previously said that such incidents are rare but that parks constantly review their safety protocols.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park opened in 2009 and has become a popular visitor attraction in the region, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors a year. It houses lions, tigers, giraffes and other species across a large site near Doncaster. The park has not said when it will reopen.
Mr Chapman's family said they were grateful for the support they have received since his death. They described him as someone who was «bright, warm and engaging» and said he would be deeply missed by all who knew him. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
The coroner is expected to open an inquest in due course. Police have asked anyone with information about the incident to come forward as they continue to establish the full sequence of events leading up to Mr Chapman's death.
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