An inquest opening has heard that a man killed by a tiger at a wildlife park had a history of mental illness. William Chapman, 24, died after being mauled by the animal at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster on Saturday, October 10.
Inquest hears of schizophrenia diagnosis
At the hearing at Doncaster Coroner's Court on Thursday, October 15, it was stated that Mr Chapman had a diagnosis of schizophrenia and had experienced previous bouts of psychosis. Coroner's officer Caitlin Brookes said his family had expressed "a number of concerns" regarding his contact with mental health services.
Mr Chapman was under adult mental health services in Doncaster but was described as "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 his death.
Details of the incident
The inquest heard that Mr Chapman, a self-employed online trader living in Doncaster, attended the park on October 10. At about 1.30pm, he 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."
Park staff secured the tiger, and paramedics attended but confirmed Mr Chapman's death at the scene. An initial post-mortem examination found he had died from multiple traumatic injuries. The inquest heard his full name was William Harry Bruce Chapman, born in 2002 in Chichester. His stepfather travelled to the mortuary to identify him on October 13.
Witness account and investigations
Ella Ford, 24, from Moreton, was visiting the park with her boyfriend when she saw Mr Chapman enter the enclosure. She said she noticed him pacing in circles on the elevated walkway, wearing headphones and appearing "happy." She told the ECHO: "I only noticed him because he was pacing around. Other than that, I wouldn't have noticed anything out of the ordinary."
Ms Ford said she saw Mr Chapman climb over a wooden barrier, then climb into the habitat and crawl towards a tiger resting nearby. She said the scene unfolded rapidly, with members of the public scrambling to get help. One man attempted to frighten the tiger away by banging on the fence, but the animal took no notice.
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. A full inquest will be held on March 18 next year.
