William Chapman, 24, died as a result of multiple traumatic injuries sustained after entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster, an inquest opening into his death has heard. He was pronounced dead at the scene on Saturday, October 10.
Incident details
Emergency services were alerted shortly after 1.30pm on October 10 when Mr Chapman, who police confirmed had been visiting the park alone, entered the enclosure. Park staff successfully managed to restrain the tiger, while Mr Chapman was subsequently declared dead at the scene.
A post-mortem examination has been conducted by Dr Karzai, who provided a provisional cause of death as 1A multiple traumatic injuries and 1B animal interaction. A more comprehensive report is yet to follow.
Inquest proceedings
These details were confirmed when an inquest into Mr Chapman's death opened at Doncaster Coroners' Court on Thursday, October 15. The coroner's officer informed the court: "This case relates to the death of a 24-year-old man who passed away at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on the 10th of October."
"He attended Yorkshire Wildlife Park where at 13.31 hours he climbed two fences and entered the tiger enclosure... He approached the tiger and, following an interaction, suffered multiple traumatic injuries."
Family concerns and investigation
The family of Mr Chapman, described in court as a trader by profession, raised concerns regarding his interactions with mental health services in the period leading up to his death. The officer stated: "During my communications with Mr Chapman's family they confirmed he had a history of mental illness, a diagnosis of schizophrenia and had suffered previous bouts of psychosis and was under the care of Doncaster Mental Health Services. Despite his diagnosis Mr Chapman was highly functioning and independent."
"His family have expressed a number of concerns in relation to his contact with mental health services leading up to his death."
City of Doncaster Council, which holds responsibility for licensing the park, announced on Monday, October 12, that it had launched a health and safety investigation. Dan Swaine, executive director of place at City of Doncaster Council, said: "As the relevant licensing authority for the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, I can confirm that, in line with our statutory duties, the council has launched a health and safety investigation."
The coroner's officer has been instructed to liaise with Yorkshire Wildlife Park to secure any available CCTV footage. She has additionally been asked to establish whether Mr Chapman had previously visited Yorkshire Wildlife Park. A date for the full inquest has been fixed for March 18 next year.
