Yorkshire Wildlife Park makes new announcement as inquest into tiger attack fatality is set to open
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Hi family has paid tribute to William
Yorkshire Wildlife Park is set to remain closed for another day after a tiger fatally attacked a young man in its enclosure.
The park’s website again says the popular attraction is closed today.
It comes after a William Chapman, aged 23, died after entering the tiger enclosure on Saturday (October 10).
He was mauled to death by a Siberian tiger called Altai.
A health and safety investigation has been launched into the incident.
Meanwhile, the wildlife park has confirmed that the tiger will not be euthanised following the fatal attack.
The decision for the park to remain closed comes after Mr Chapman’s family paid tribute to the “bright, warm and engaging young man”.
He had suffered from “significant mental illness over a number of years”, his family added in a statement.
“The family are utterly devastated by their loss and are struggling to come to terms with what has happened,” they said on Tuesday.
“The publication and circulation of deeply offensive media content is causing them severe distress at an exceptionally vulnerable time. We ask people to stop doing this.
“The family are hopeful that the relevant authorities will do their upmost to get to the bottom of why our amazing son did what he did.”
In the statement, his family added: “William was a bright, warm and engaging young man whom his family dearly loved – and William loved them back.
“Sadly, William suffered from significant mental illness over a number of years and was consequently prescribed strong medication.
“It will be for the coroner to decide what part this played in his death.
Emergency services were contacted shortly after 1.30pm on October 10 when Mr Chapman, who police said was visiting the park alone, entered the enclosure.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Mr Chapman previously attended Jackie Palmer Stage School in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.
In a tribute shared on Facebook, the school said it was “deeply saddened” to hear of the loss of its former student, adding “we loved watching William grow, both as a person and as a performer”.
Mr Chapman appeared in ITV’s May Contain Nuts, alongside Harry Potter actress Shirley Henderson, and in the BBC’s True Stories series, according to IMDB.
A note on the park’s website reads: “Park closed today”.
We will update this story if the park reopens.