Yorkshire Wildlife Park confirms major decision after family pay tribute to fatal tiger attack victim
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The news comes after the victim’s family paid tribute
Yorkshire Wildlife Park is set to remain closed after a tiger fatally attacked a man in its enclosure over the weekend.
The park, in Doncaster, is expected to keep its doors shut again on Wednesday (October 14). It comes after a William Chapman, 23, died after entering the tiger enclosure on Saturday (October 10).
A health and safety investigation has been launched into the incident. Meanwhile, the zoo had previously confirmed that the animal involved, named Altai, would not be euthanised following the fatal attack.
The park’s website says it would remain closed on Wednesday at the time of writing, while the Yorkshire Hive, a complex of businesses nearby is open.
The decision comes after Mr Chapman’s family paid tribute, calling him a “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.