Man killed by tiger climbed two fences before suffering multiple injuries, inquest hears

A man who was attacked by a tiger after climbing two fences to enter its enclosure at a wildlife park died of "multiple traumatic injuries", an inquest has heard.William Chapman visited Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster on Saturday and entered the animal's pen. The 24-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene and died of "multiple traumatic injuries and animal interaction", the opening of his inquest at Doncaster Coroner's Court heard.Senior coroner Nicola Mundy said he had a history of mental illness, a diagnosis of schizophrenia and had suffered previous bouts of psychosis. His family had raised concerns about his contact with Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Trust, the hearing was told. Chapman was under adult mental health services in Doncaster but was "highly functioning and independent with no care requirements," the inquest heard.The self-employed online trader was born in Chichester, West Sussex, and living in Doncaster at the time of his death.Coroner's officer Caitlin Brookes said his family had expressed "a number of concerns" in relation to his contact with mental health services, with the trust launching an investigation following his death.On Wednesday, a trust spokesperson said it would "never comment on whether someone uses our services or does not use our services".The BBC approached the trust for further comment.Brookes told the hearing: "He was approached by the tiger and the ensuing physical contact between the tiger and Mr Chapman led to him sustaining multiple traumatic injuries which rapidly led to his death."Park staff secured the tiger and paramedics attended but confirmed his death at the scene.The senior coroner said her office was awaiting a more substantial report as to the extent of his injuries. Mundy opened the inquest, which his family chose not to attend, on Thursday morning and adjourned proceedings until 18 March 2027.The incident, which took place shortly after 13:30 BST on Saturday, led to the evacuation of the wildlife park. An eyewitness described seeing Chapman wearing headphones and "pacing around" near the enclosure before he went in.Mobile phone footage, believed to be from Chapman, appears to show the inside of the enclosure as he approaches the tiger across a patch of grass.The park remains closed and a reopening date is yet to be confirmed. A park spokesperson previously said the rare Amur tiger involved, called Altai, remained safely in the enclosure and would not be euthanised.A health and safety investigation has also been launched by City of Doncaster Council.South Yorkshire Police had provided a number of witness statements from the public and staff who were at the wildlife park at the time, the hearing was told.Mundy instructed staff to contact Yorkshire Wildlife Park to ask them to keep any relevant CCTV and inform the coroner of any previous visits by Chapman to the park.