Man killed by tiger died from ‘multiple injuries’
Inquest hears Doncaster man died after entering tiger enclosure
Ninoda.com – A 24-year-old man died after suffering multiple traumatic injuries during an encounter with a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster, a coroner’s hearing has been told.
William Chapman entered the animal’s enclosure on Saturday after climbing over two fences. Emergency crews attended the scene, but he was pronounced dead at the park.
The opening hearing at Doncaster Coroner’s Court heard that his cause of death was recorded as “multiple traumatic injuries and animal interaction”. Senior coroner Nicola Mundy said further detail was still awaited on the full extent of the injuries he sustained.
Incident followed entry into restricted enclosure
The incident happened shortly after 13:30 BST on Saturday and resulted in the evacuation of the wildlife park. Staff secured the tiger involved before paramedics arrived.
Coroner’s officer Caitlin Brookes described the fatal sequence to the court.
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.
An eyewitness described seeing Chapman near the enclosure before the incident, wearing headphones and pacing. Mobile phone footage believed to have been filmed by Chapman appears to show the inside of the enclosure as he crossed grass towards the tiger.
The Amur tiger involved, named Altai, remains safely housed at the park. The animal will not be euthanised, the park has said. The site remains closed, with no reopening date confirmed.
Mental health concerns raised at hearing
The court was told that Chapman had experienced mental ill health, had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and had previously experienced episodes of psychosis.
He was receiving support from adult mental health services in Doncaster. However, the hearing was told that he was considered highly functioning and independent, with no care requirements in place.
Chapman was born in Chichester, West Sussex, and was living in Doncaster at the time of his death. He worked for himself as an online trader.
His family did not attend the opening of the inquest. The hearing was told that they had raised several concerns about his contact with Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Trust. An investigation has been launched by the trust following his death.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, a trust spokesperson said it would “never comment on whether someone uses our services or does not use our services”.
Police, council and coroner investigations continue
South Yorkshire Police have provided witness statements from members of the public and wildlife park staff who were present at the time. City of Doncaster Council has also begun a health and safety investigation.
At the hearing, Mundy directed staff to contact Yorkshire Wildlife Park to ensure any relevant CCTV footage is retained. The coroner also asked the park to provide information about any earlier visits Chapman may have made.
These enquiries are likely to form part of the wider examination of how Chapman came to enter an enclosure intended to remain inaccessible to visitors. Wildlife parks operate with physical barriers and restricted areas to protect both visitors and animals, particularly where large predators are kept.
The case also raises questions that can be considered within an inquest without assigning criminal responsibility. Such proceedings examine the circumstances surrounding a death, including events immediately before it occurred, relevant care arrangements and any evidence from agencies involved.
The hearing was adjourned until 18 March 2027, allowing time for further reports, statements and investigative work to be completed.
Park closure remains in place
Yorkshire Wildlife Park has not yet said when visitors will be able to return. The closure followed the emergency response and evacuation carried out after the incident.
Amur tigers are among the rarest tiger subspecies and are known for their large size and strength. Their care in a wildlife park requires secure, purpose-built environments, and the animal involved in this incident remained within its enclosure after staff acted.
For Chapman's family, the inquest process will provide a formal route for examining the circumstances of his death. The investigation into his contact with mental health services will run alongside the work being undertaken by police, the council and the coroner.
The next hearing is expected to address evidence gathered from the park, witnesses, medical reporting and the agencies connected to the case.
Related Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Man killed by tiger died?Man killed by tiger died is the main topic of this guide. The article explains the context, practical details, and next steps readers should understand.
Why does Man killed by tiger died matter?Man killed by tiger died matters because readers are looking for a useful answer, not just a short summary. Good content should match search intent and help them decide what to do next.