Family Tribute
The family of William Chapman, who tragically lost his life after entering a tiger enclosure, has expressed their sorrow, describing him as a ‘bright, warm and engaging’ individual.
Chapman, aged 23, died on Saturday, October 10, at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. According to his grieving family, he had been dealing with ‘significant mental illness’ for several years and had been prescribed strong medication.
In their statement, they requested that people cease sharing ‘deeply offensive’ content related to the incident, emphasizing the distress such actions cause during this vulnerable time. “The family is completely devastated and finding it hard to process what has occurred,” they stated on Tuesday.
They further expressed hope that authorities would thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding their son’s actions.
“William was a beloved young man, and he loved his family in return,” they added.
“Regrettably, William faced significant mental health challenges over the years and was consequently on strong medication. The coroner will determine the impact this had on his death, and we ask for respect for that process.”
According to police reports, Chapman visited the park alone and entered the tiger enclosure around 1:30 PM on October 10, where he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witness Anthony Hunt recounted seeing the tiger focus intently on something in the enclosure, initially thinking it might be feeding time.
However, while his girlfriend Scarlett was taking photos, they discovered through the camera that Chapman had entered the enclosure. Other witnesses reported seeing frantic attempts to warn Chapman before the tiger attacked.
A witness named Alice described the situation as ‘sudden’ and ‘chaotic’, noting that park staff were instructing people to evacuate without explaining the reason.
She mentioned, “As we exited, we had to walk past the tiger enclosure and could see emergency services managing the situation from a distance.”
The South Yorkshire Police have urged the public not to circulate social media footage of the attack.
The City of Doncaster Council has initiated a health and safety investigation into the incident. Dan Swaine, Executive Director of Place, expressed sadness over the occurrence, extending condolences to those affected, including Chapman’s family and park staff.
“In accordance with our duties as the licensing authority for the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, we have begun a health and safety investigation and are collaborating with various agencies,” he stated. “At this time, we will not comment further on the investigation or the individual involved, and we ask for privacy during this difficult period.”
In the wake of Chapman’s death, Yorkshire Wildlife Park has remained closed but confirmed that the tiger involved, an adult male named Altai, will not be euthanized.
In a statement released on October 11, the park said, “We are grateful for the concern expressed regarding this tragic incident. Our thoughts are with the family of the man who lost his life. The park will be closed today, and staff affected by the events will receive specialized support. We assure everyone that Altai is safe and will not face euthanasia due to this incident.”
