BBC Breakfast shared a major update with viewers about Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Friday's show (October 16), almost a week after a man died inside the tiger enclosure. An inquest opened at Doncaster Coroners' Court yesterday (October 15) into the death of 24-year-old William Chapman. Emergency services were contacted shortly after 1.30pm on Saturday, October 10.
Mr Chapman, who police said was visiting the park alone, entered the park's tiger enclosure but was pronounced dead at the scene. Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt returned for BBC Breakfast today when Naga shared the latest details on the incident as she revealed that the park would be reopening to visitors.
Park reopens with tiger enclosure
She then handed over to a report from correspondent Tim Muffett, who said: "Yorkshire Wildlife Park will reopen today including the land of the tiger enclosure." In a heartfelt statement it said, 'Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies remain with the families, friends and loved ones of William Chapman who sadly lost his life. The safety and wellbeing of our visitors, staff team and animals remain our highest priority'.
Tim added: "Yorkshire Wildlife Park added that the five-year-old Siberian tiger Altai which was involved in the attack was safe and well and would not be euthenised as a result of the incident. The park said his ongoing welfare was a priority for its animal care team."
Inquest details and investigation
The reporter further noted that the inquest into Mr Chapman's death revealed he had scaled two fences to enter the enclosure and that he had a history of mental illness, including a diagnosis of schizophrenia and episodes of psychosis. Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber Health Trust, which was overseeing his care, has now initiated an independent patient safety incident investigation.
A full inquest into Mr Chapman's death is scheduled for next March. In the wake of his death, it came to light that Mr Chapman was a former child actor, with roles in shows on both BBC and ITV. As reported by the BBC and corroborated by IMDB, he featured in the ITV production May Contain Nuts. The show also starred Shirley Henderson, best known for her role as Moaning Myrtle in the Harry Potter films. Mr Chapman also played a young Edward Jenner in the BBC series True Stories, reports the Mirror.
