An inquest has heard that a man killed by a tiger at a wildlife park had a history of mental illness, with his family expressing concerns about his contact with mental health services before his death.
William Chapman, 24, was mauled to death by the animal at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster on Saturday. The inquest opening into his death on Thursday heard that Mr Chapman had a diagnosis of schizophrenia and had suffered previous bouts of psychosis, the hearing at Doncaster Coroner’s Court was told.
Family concerns and mental health background
Coroner’s officer Caitlin Brookes said his family had expressed “a number of concerns” in relation to his contact with mental health services. Mr Chapman was under adult mental health services in Doncaster but was “highly functioning and independent with no care requirements,” the inquest heard.
Ms Brookes said the Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation trust had launched an investigation following Mr Chapman’s death. The inquest heard Mr Chapman was a self-employed online trader who was living in Doncaster at the time of his death.
Incident details and investigation
The inquest heard he attended Yorkshire Wildlife Park on October 10, and at about 1.30pm, climbed over two fences and entered the tiger enclosure. Ms Brookes said: “He was approached by the tiger and the ensuing physical contact between the tiger and Mr Chapman led to him sustaining multiple traumatic injuries which rapidly led to his death.”
An initial post-mortem examination found that he had died from multiple traumatic injuries after his encounter with the tiger. Park staff secured the tiger, and paramedics attended but confirmed Mr Chapman’s death at the scene. Ms Mundy said her office was awaiting a more substantial report as to the extent of Mr Chapman’s injuries.
Family and next steps
The inquest heard Mr Chapman’s stepfather had travelled to the mortuary to identify him on October 13. His full name was William Harry Bruce Chapman, and he was born in 2002 in Chichester. Ms Mundy said Mr Chapman’s family “were finding things incredibly difficult” and had decided not to attend the hearing, but would be updated afterwards by her staff.
City of Doncaster Council, which is responsible for licensing the park, is carrying out a health and safety investigation and said it would share the outcome with the coroner, the hearing was told. A full inquest will be held on March 18 next year.
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.
