The man who was mauled by a tiger in Yorkshire over the weekend has been named as William Chapman.
Mr Chapman died after entering the tiger enclosure at around 1.35pm on Saturday.
Eyewitnesses described how the man was dancing with headphones on before approaching visitors to ask for pictures, with one woman who photographed him before he tragically entered the enclosure.
Shortly after, paramedics, two land ambulances, a critical care team, a doctor and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance were all dispatched to the scene.
But South Yorkshire Police confirmed the tiger attack caused serious injuries and he was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene despite the efforts of paramedics.
The park, which was evacuated after the distressing incident, currently remains closed for a fourth day as a health and safety investigation continues.
Police confirmed he had visited the wildlife park on his own, with a spokesman confirming the man’s family had been made aware and were being supported by specialist officers.
In the lead up to the fatal attack, Del Taylor, who was visiting with her boyfriend, said Mr Chapman appeared happy when he approached her and handed over his phone to take a photograph of him with the tiger in the background.
Speaking in an update shared on TikTok, she said: “He was so happy and then he’s come and placed himself next to us and he passed me his phone and he asked me for a photo.”
Anthony Hunt, who was visiting the park with his girlfriend Scarlet, said the couple noticed the tiger suddenly change its behaviour while they were photographing it, before noticing Mr Chapman had broken into the enclosure.
“When Scarlet was taking photos, we suddenly saw in the camera lens that a guy had entered the enclosure,” he explained to Sky News.
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Mr Hunt said the man appeared to bow down on all fours, praying and looking towards the sky, before the tiger approached him.
Chilling footage shared online appearing to be taking by Mr Chapman, shows the man in the enclosure, looking towards the apex predator and audibly gasping.
The video seems to have been taken moments before disaster.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park thanked the public for expressing their concern following the “tragic incident,” and confirmed the wellbeing of the tiger at the centre of the attack, called Altai.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies remain with the family and loved ones of the man who sadly lost his life,” a spokesman said.
“The park will be closed today while the staff team who were deeply affected by events receive specialist support.
“Many, many people have contacted us about Altai, the tiger. We can reassure everyone that he is safe and well and will not be euthanised as a result of this incident.”
The park is home to two Amur tigers, one male, Altai, and one female, Tschuna. More commonly known as Siberian tigers, they are the world’s largest big cat.
City of Doncaster Council has joined the park in launchign a health and safety investigation into Mr Chapman’s death.
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