A man has died after entering the tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, on Saturday afternoon. Emergency services were called to the scene at 1.35pm, and despite the best efforts of medical personnel, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witness describes final moments before attack
A witness who was at the park on Saturday said she noticed the victim's behaviour about 20 minutes before the incident. She described seeing the man on a bridge with his AirPods in, dancing and apparently enjoying the sight of the Amur tiger basking in the sunshine.
The woman told reporters: "Twenty minutes before today's tragic incident at Yorkshire Wildlife Park this tiger was sat enjoying the sunshine. The man who I saw on the bridge with his AirPods in dancing was happily enjoying seeing the tiger. He obviously wasn't with anyone and he asked a total stranger to take a picture of him with the tiger in the background."
She added: "Probably the last photo on his phone. I'm not sure if he was with a carer or family member but I honestly do think he just wanted to play with the tiger."
Police confirm details of fatal incident
South Yorkshire Police issued an updated statement on Saturday evening. A spokesman said: "At 1.35pm today (Saturday, October 10) we received reports of a man entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park."
"The tiger subsequently attacked the man, resulting in serious injury. Emergency services attended and sadly, despite the best efforts of medical personnel, the man was pronounced dead at the scene."
The spokesman confirmed that the man's family has been informed and is being supported by specialist officers. He added: "Our thoughts are with them at this distressing time."
Park evacuated and closed following attack
Yorkshire Wildlife Park was evacuated after the incident, and police officers remain on the scene carrying out enquiries. The Amur tiger involved in the attack was uninjured and remained in its two-acre enclosure, with police confirming there is no wider risk to the public.
In a statement, Yorkshire Wildlife Park said: "We can confirm that a serious incident has occurred today at the tiger enclosure. Our emergency response procedures were immediately activated, and emergency services are currently attending the scene."
"We are working closely with the authorities to ascertain exactly what happened. The safety and wellbeing of our visitors, staff and animals remain our highest priority."
The attraction has now shut and will remain closed on Sunday, 11 October. Police have also noted that videos of the incident are circulating online and have urged people not to share this footage.
