William Chapman, believed to be in his mid-20s, has been named and pictured for the first time after he died following a tiger attack at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. The man was killed after leaping into the tiger enclosure at the Doncaster attraction on Saturday, October 10.
Mr Chapman was pictured in a number of Instagram images alongside footage he captured himself, showing the moment he approached the endangered animal. The clip was posted just seconds after he descended into the tiger's enclosure, before he was subsequently mauled to death by one of the park's tigers.
Video shows approach to tiger Altai
In the video, he approaches the 200kg male Siberian tiger, named Altai, which is seen resting atop a wooden perch. Mr Chapman was alone and dancing to music when he asked a fellow parkgoer to photograph him. He then shared a video to Instagram after dropping 12ft down into the enclosure, according to witnesses.
Other visitors attempted to restrain him before he dropped 12ft to the floor of the enclosure and made his way towards the large animal. The newly surfaced footage shows the person holding the camera walking towards a wooden platform where Altai, an Amur tiger, was lying at rest.
Witnesses scream as man approaches
The man can be heard breathing heavily as he approaches the black and orange-striped animal, while horrified witnesses scream "oh my god" in the background. Footage which emerged on social media on Saturday captured Mr Chapman being mauled by the tiger. Mr Chapman shouted 'stop' repeatedly and seemed to gesture 'bad' in Makaton - a sign language system typically used by people who find communication difficult.
Park remains closed for investigation
Yorkshire Wildlife Park has stayed shut for a fourth consecutive day while local authorities carry out a health and safety investigation. City of Doncaster Council, which holds responsibility for licensing the park, confirmed yesterday it had commenced the health and safety investigation into the incident.
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."
"We are also working with multiple agencies, including the police and health agencies, and are supporting the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in response to the incident. At this time, we won't be commenting further on the individual or the investigation and we ask that the privacy of those involved is respected at this difficult time."
