William Chapman, a former child actor in his mid-20s, has been identified as the man who died after entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in England. The fatal incident occurred on Saturday, October 10, prompting the evacuation and temporary closure of the park as authorities investigate.

Chapman visited the wildlife park near Doncaster alone and entered the enclosure shortly after 1:30 p.m. BST, according to South Yorkshire Police. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of condolences from those who knew Chapman, while witnesses have described the moments leading up to the attack and the emergency response that followed.

William Chapman’s Background as a Child Actor

Before his death, Chapman had pursued acting as a child and was a former student at the Jackie Palmer Stage School in High Wycombe.

He appeared in the ITV production May Contain Nuts, alongside Shirley Henderson, known for playing Moaning Myrtle in the Harry Potter films, and actor Darren Boyd. He also portrayed Edward Jenner in the BBC series True Stories.

The stage school shared a tribute to its former student on social media, expressing sadness at his death and offering condolences to his family and friends.

“We loved watching William grow, both as a person and as a performer, during his time with us,” the statement said.

The school described it as a privilege to have been part of his journey, adding that he would be remembered fondly by those who knew him and would “always hold a special place in our hearts.”

Witness Describes Moments Before the Attack

Ella Ford, 24, from Moreton in the Wirral, was visiting the park with her boyfriend when she saw Chapman near the tiger enclosure.

Ford told the BBC that he appeared to be pacing with his headphones on before climbing onto the barriers. She recalled seeing a woman nearby talking to him shortly before he entered the enclosure.

“He jumped in and crawled in front of the tiger, where the tiger was perched and just lay there,” she said.

Ford said she then witnessed the tiger grab Chapman and heard him shouting for help.

She estimated that between 15 and 20 people were on the raised walkway overlooking the enclosure at the time. Staff quickly evacuated the viewing area and subsequently cleared the park.

Ford also recalled seeing a member of the public banging on the fence in an apparent attempt to distract the tiger, but the effort did not stop the attack.

Another visitor, Karmelle Pelham, 39, from Worksop, was enjoying a family day out when staff announced the evacuation. She recalled hearing sounds resembling gunshots and seeing an air ambulance circling overhead.

Pelham also described a large black tarpaulin covering the tiger enclosure. Despite the distressing circumstances, she praised staff for managing the evacuation, describing the response as “very, very well organised.”

Police Investigation and Calls for a Safety Review

South Yorkshire Police confirmed that Chapman’s family had been informed of his death and was receiving support from specialist officers.

Mobile phone footage believed to have been recorded by Chapman and posted on a social media account appears to show the inside of the enclosure as he approaches the tiger across a grassy area. The animal can be seen on a wooden platform. The account has since been removed.

The City of Doncaster Council has launched a health and safety investigation into the death, saying the inquiry was being conducted in accordance with its statutory duties.

The Born Free Foundation, an organization that campaigns for zoos to be phased out, has called for an urgent review of how Chapman was able to enter the enclosure and what happened afterward.

Dr. Campbell Murn, a former member of the government’s zoo expert committee and a lecturer at the University of Reading, described the incident as tragic while noting that determined individuals can sometimes breach even well-designed security systems.

He compared the situation to a determined thief finding a way into a home or car, explaining that incidents can occur despite security measures.

Tiger Altai Will Not Be Euthanized

Yorkshire Wildlife Park confirmed that Altai, a rare Amur tiger also known as a Siberian tiger, remained in the enclosure following the incident and would not be euthanized.

Park staff expressed their heartfelt sympathies to Chapman’s family, while floral tributes were placed near the park’s entrance.

The park was evacuated after the attack and remains closed while investigations continue. Authorities are working to establish the circumstances surrounding Chapman’s entry into the enclosure and the events that followed.

As the investigation proceeds, tributes from his former school and the wider community have remembered Chapman as a former student and performer whose death has left family, friends and those present at the park grieving.

Source: Compiled from various sources