A man has died after being mauled by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster. The incident happened on Saturday afternoon when the man reportedly leapt from a viewing platform into the animal's enclosure.
Witnesses said they could see blood and that the tiger had dragged the man by the neck. The man was pronounced dead at the scene despite the efforts of medical personnel.
Witness describes scene
Midwife Amy Wright, 36, was at the park with her husband and two children, aged six and three. She told The Sun: "You could see the blood where the tiger had dragged the man. Someone who saw it said it had him by the neck. There was a lot of blood. People were shouting to try and distract it."
She added: "We heard the gunshots. There were two, one after the other in quick succession. We headed for the exit but to get there you have to pass the tigers' enclosure."
Emergency response
Police and ambulances rushed to the park after the alarm was raised at 1.35pm. An air ambulance was seen dropping into the 'Land of the Tigers' enclosure. The area is cordoned off by a five metre fence but features a viewing platform with a one-metre "stand off" fence, which it is thought the man jumped over.
South Yorkshire Police said: "At 1.35pm on Saturday we received reports of a man entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. The tiger subsequently attacked the man."
The force added: "Emergency services attended and sadly, despite the best efforts of medical personnel, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. The man's family is aware and is being supported by specialist officers. Our thoughts are with them at this distressing time."
No wider risk to public
A spokesman confirmed the tiger was unharmed and there was no wider risk to the public. The animal is not set to be put down. Following the incident, the park was evacuated and officers remain on scene carrying out inquiries.
The spokesman added: "We are aware of videos circulating online and would encourage people not to share this footage."
