A 24-year-old individual who lost his life in an incident involving a big cat at a wildlife attraction in South Yorkshire has been identified.
William Harry Bruce Chapman, who was born in 2002 in Chichester, West Sussex, sustained fatal injuries during an encounter with a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster on October 10.
Proceedings at Doncaster Coroner’s Court this week revealed that Mr Chapman had received a diagnosis of schizophrenia and experienced recurring episodes of psychosis.
The court was informed that he had been receiving support from adult mental health services within Doncaster.
A coroner’s officer stated that despite his medical history, he maintained a significant level of independence and functionality with no formal care package in place.
The officer added that his relatives had raised several concerns regarding his engagement with mental health professionals.
Mr Chapman, who worked as an independent online retailer, was residing in Doncaster at the time of the incident.
A preliminary post-mortem examination established that multiple traumatic injuries caused his death.
Court proceedings heard that he arrived at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on October 10 and, at approximately 1:30pm, scaled two perimeter barriers before gaining entry to the tiger habitat.
The coroner’s officer described how the animal approached Mr Chapman, resulting in physical contact that inflicted severe injuries which proved immediately fatal.
Park personnel managed to restrain the tiger while emergency services responded to the scene.
Medical staff arrived and pronounced him deceased at the location.
The coroner’s officer indicated that his stepfather visited the mortuary on October 13 to formally identify the remains.
It was noted that his relatives were experiencing considerable distress and had chosen not to be present at the hearing, with arrangements made for them to receive updates from court staff.
City of Doncaster Council, which holds regulatory oversight for the park’s licence, disclosed that a separate health and safety inquiry is underway and that findings will be submitted to the coroner.
A comprehensive inquest is slated to take place on March 18 next year.