An inquest has opened into the death of William Chapman, 24, who was mauled by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster on Saturday. The hearing at Doncaster Coroner’s Court was told that Mr Chapman had a history of mental illness and a diagnosis of schizophrenia, and had suffered previous bouts of psychosis.
Family concerns and mental health contact
Coroner’s officer Caitlin Brookes said Mr Chapman’s family had expressed “a number of concerns” regarding his contact with mental health services leading up to his death. The inquest heard that Mr Chapman was under adult mental health services in Doncaster but was “highly functioning and independent with no care requirements.”
Ms Brookes said the Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation trust had launched an investigation following Mr Chapman’s death. He was a self-employed online trader living in Doncaster at the time.
Fatal incident at the park
The inquest heard that Mr Chapman 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 died from multiple traumatic injuries. A full inquest is scheduled for March 18 next year.
