Man Killed in Tiger Attack at Wildlife Park Identified; Family Pays Tribute
William Chapman, in his mid-20s, was pronounced dead at the scene after entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
The family of William Chapman, who died after entering a tiger's enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, has described him as a "bright, warm and engaging" man whom they dearly loved. Chapman, in his mid-20s, was attacked on Saturday afternoon after entering the animal's pen. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a statement released Tuesday evening, Chapman's family shared that he had experienced "significant mental illness" for several years and had been prescribed "strong medication." They expressed hope that authorities would thoroughly investigate the reasons behind his actions. The family stated they are "utterly devastated by their loss and are struggling to come to terms with what has happened."
The incident occurred shortly after 1:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, leading to the park's evacuation and a three-day closure. The City of Doncaster Council has initiated a health and safety investigation into the death. It will be up to the coroner to determine if Chapman's mental illness played a role in the incident.