An inquest has formally opened into the death of William Chapman, the 24-year-old man who died after climbing into a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster. The hearing at Doncaster Coroner’s Court on 15 October 2026 confirmed that he suffered multiple traumatic injuries in the incident.

Chapman visited the wildlife park alone on Saturday 10 October. At approximately 1.30pm he climbed over two fences and entered the enclosure housing a male Amur tiger named Altai. He was approached by the animal and the subsequent physical contact caused injuries that rapidly led to his death. He was pronounced ᴅᴇᴀᴅ at the scene by paramedics after park staff secured the tiger.

A provisional post-mortem examination recorded the cause of death as multiple traumatic injuries resulting from animal interaction. Chapman’s full name was given as William Harry Bruce Chapman. He was born in Chichester, West SusSєx, in 2002 and was living in Doncaster at the time of his death, working as a self-employed online trader. His stepfather identified his body at the mortuary on 13 October.

The inquest heard that Chapman had a history of mental illness. He had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and had experienced previous episodes of psychosis. He was under the care of adult mental health services provided by the Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust. Despite his diagnosis, he was described as highly functioning and independent, with no formal care requirements.

Chapman’s family, who chose not to attend the opening of the inquest, had raised a number of concerns about his contact with mental health services in the period leading up to his death. The NHS trust has launched an independent patient safety investigation into his care. City of Doncaster Council is also conducting a health and safety investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident at the park.

Senior coroner Nicola Mundy requested that any relevant CCTV from Yorkshire Wildlife Park be preserved and that information be obtained about whether Chapman had visited the attraction on previous occasions. The full inquest has been adjourned and is scheduled to take place on 18 March 2027.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park remains closed while investigations continue. Officials have confirmed that the tiger Altai is safe and will not be euthanised. The park has expressed its sympathies to Chapman’s family.

Sources : BBC News