A Merseyside woman has described the moment she watched William Chapman enter the tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park before he suffered a fatal attack.
Ella Ford, 24, from Moreton, Merseyside, was visiting the park near Doncaster with her boyfriend when she saw Mr Chapman climb into the tiger habitat on Saturday afternoon, October 10.
Ella, who had been watching the tigers, said she spotted Mr Chapman walking in circles on the raised walkway above the enclosure, wearing headphones and seeming “happy”.
Witness account
“I only noticed him because he was pacing around. Other than that, I wouldn't have noticed anything out of the ordinary,” Ella told the Liverpool Echo. “I had a look around and I didn't see anyone with him. I just assumed his family were further down the bridge and he was waiting for them or something.”
Ella said she and her boyfriend walked further along the viewing platform to observe another tiger before spotting Mr Chapman scaling a wooden barrier.
“He stayed for a minute or so. My first thought was that he was trying to get a closer look at the tiger. I never thought he would try and go in. I tapped my partner and was like, 'What's going on?'”.
Attack unfolds
Moments later, Ella said Mr Chapman descended into the habitat and crawled towards a tiger lying nearby. Her boyfriend witnessed Mr Chapman retrieve his phone and approach the animal.
Ella described how the scene unfolded quickly, with members of the public desperately scrambling to raise the alarm as the tiger struck. She recalled how one man attempted to scare the tiger off by banging on the fence, but the animal paid no attention.
“It's all a bit of a blur. I tried to look away but I couldn't. I just remember hearing people say 'Oh my God.' Everyone was trying to get their kids away because they knew what was about to happen.”
Park response and investigation
Ella said park staff began clearing the walkway within minutes, before the wider park was evacuated. She added: “I just can't stop thinking about it. It's heartbreaking.”
Emergency services were called just after 1.30pm on 10 October when Mr Chapman, who police believed had visited the park alone, entered the enclosure. The park remained shut on Wednesday, October 14, for the fifth consecutive day since the attack.
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.”
In an earlier statement posted on social media, the wildlife park revealed that “many, many people” had been in touch regarding Altai, the Amur tiger at the centre of the incident, confirming he is “safe and well” and will not be euthanised.
