Young Man Dies After Entering Tiger Enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park

What Happened

William Chapman, a man in his mid‑twenties, entered the tiger’s pen at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster shortly after 13:30 BST on Saturday. The tiger attacked him and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident forced the park’s evacuation and a three‑day closure.

Reaction

His family released a statement calling him "bright, warm and engaging" and said he had suffered from significant mental illness for years and was on strong medication. They expressed devastation and urged authorities to determine why he entered the enclosure. The City of Doncaster Council opened a health‑and‑safety investigation, and a coroner will decide if his mental illness contributed to his death.

Context

Yorkshire Wildlife Park is a popular attraction that keeps large predators in secured areas, and incidents like this are rare. The investigation will examine safety protocols and visitor access controls.