New details have emerged about the final moments of a man who died after entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, including a witness account explaining why he appeared to point his finger towards the animal.
The tragedy unfolded on Saturday, October 10, when a man entered an enclosure housing an Amur tiger named Altai at the popular Doncaster attraction.
Emergency services attended the scene, but the man was pronounced dead following the incident.
He has since been identified in media reports as William Chapman, believed to have been in his 20s.
As investigations continue, witnesses have described a series of unsettling moments before the fatal encounter.
Why did William Chapman point his finger at the tiger?
According to a witness account reported by The Mirror, Chapman was seen pointing towards Altai and apparently telling the tiger to "stop being naughty".
The reported remark has offered a possible explanation for the gesture, suggesting that Chapman may have been attempting to address the animal as its behaviour became increasingly threatening.
However, his precise intentions and state of mind at the time have not been independently established.
Witnesses also reportedly shouted warnings to Chapman, including telling him to play dead, as the situation became more dangerous.
Footage circulating online appears to capture Chapman repeatedly telling the tiger to stop as the animal approached him.
The recordings have prompted widespread discussion about the circumstances leading up to the attack.
Man reportedly filmed himself approaching tiger
Further reports suggest that Chapman had been recording himself inside the enclosure shortly before the fatal incident.
Video footage described by witnesses shows him approaching the animal while visitors watched from elevated viewing areas.
As the encounter unfolded, the tiger reportedly began circling and lunging towards him.
The situation quickly escalated, with visitors raising the alarm and park employees responding.
Keepers reportedly used gas-powered acoustic devices to frighten the tiger away from the man.
Altai subsequently retreated to a nearby shelter, where staff were able to secure the animal.
Despite the emergency response, Chapman could not be saved.
Visitor believes she took one of his final photographs
One of the most heartbreaking accounts has come from a visitor who believes she may have taken some of Chapman's final photographs.
A woman identified as Taylor told reporters that she had been standing on a viewing platform with her boyfriend when Chapman approached her.
According to her account, he asked her to take a picture of him with the tiger visible in the background.
She agreed, using his phone to capture the moment.
Her boyfriend also reportedly recorded footage showing Chapman enthusiastically requesting additional photographs.
Taylor recalled seeing him dancing on the bridge overlooking the enclosure shortly before the tragedy.
At the time, she had no reason to believe that the encounter would end in such devastating circumstances.
Witness describes moment tiger's behaviour changed
Another visitor, Anthony Hunt, described noticing a sudden change in the tiger's behaviour while watching the enclosure with his girlfriend.
Speaking to Sky News, he explained that the animal appeared to become intensely focused on something inside its habitat.
Initially, the couple reportedly assumed that the tiger might have been responding to food or an activity organised by the keepers.
However, they then spotted a person inside the enclosure while looking through a camera.
The discovery left visitors shocked as they realised the seriousness of the situation.
Witness accounts and footage are expected to form part of the wider investigation into how the incident occurred.
Will Altai the tiger be euthanised?
Following concerns about the animal's future, Yorkshire Wildlife Park confirmed that Altai would not be euthanised.
The attraction said the tiger remained safe and secure following the incident.
Management also expressed its sympathies to Chapman's family and loved ones, acknowledging the devastating impact of the tragedy.
The incident has also affected park staff and visitors who witnessed the events.
Investigation launched into fatal tiger attack
City of Doncaster Council has confirmed that it has opened a health and safety investigation into the death.
As the authority responsible for licensing Yorkshire Wildlife Park, the council is examining the circumstances alongside police and other relevant agencies.
Dan Swaine, the council's Executive Director of Place, confirmed that officials were carrying out their statutory responsibilities and supporting the park following the incident.
Investigators will seek to establish how Chapman entered the enclosure and whether any additional safety measures or circumstances contributed to the tragedy.
For now, the precise sequence of events remains under investigation, while the latest witness accounts provide further insight into the moments leading up to the fatal encounter.
