William Chapman: Inquest into death of man killed by tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park to open

An inquest into the death of a man who was killed by a tiger after entering its enclosure at a wildlife park is set to open later today.

William Chapman, 23, was killed by the animal at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster on Saturday.

A hearing is scheduled at Doncaster Coroner's Court.

Mr Chapman's family said he had suffered from "significant mental illness over a number of years" and was "prescribed strong medication".

In a statement released on Tuesday evening, they said: "It will be for the coroner to decide what part this played in his death.

"We would ask everybody to respect that process."

The statement added that: "The publication and circulation of deeply offensive media content is causing severe distress at an exceptionally vulnerable time. We ask people to stop doing this.

"The family are hopeful that the relevant authorities will do their upmost to get to the bottom of why our amazing son did what he did."

The plea came after Donald Trump posted footage of Mr Chapman being fatally attacked by a tiger at the park to his 13 million followers on Truth Social.

The US president accompanied the short clip - which showed the animal biting and clawing Mr Chapman as he sat in the enclosure, but not him being killed - with the signed message: "Don't ever mess with nature!"

On Wednesday morning, Mr Trump followed this up with another post - this time an AI-generated video of him grappling with a tiger, which appears to mimic the original.

The clip, which is accompanied by the Tight Fit song The Lion Sleeps Tonight, features the president copying the pointing gesture made by Mr Chapman, and ends with him hugging the animal.

South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard condemned the president's actions, saying the Chapman family had contacted his office.

Mr Coppard said: "I know all decent people across South Yorkshire will be sending them their love, thoughts and empathy."

Mr Chapman, a former child actor, appeared in ITV's May Contain Nuts and the BBC's True Stories series, according to IMDB.

He previously attended Jackie Palmer Stage School in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

In a tribute shared on Facebook, the school said it was "deeply saddened" to hear of the loss of its former student, adding "we loved watching William grow, both as a person and as a performer".

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Emergency services were contacted shortly after 1.30pm on 10 October when Mr Chapman, who police said was visiting the park alone, entered the enclosure.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

City of Doncaster Council, which is responsible for licensing the park, said on Monday it had started a health and safety investigation.

Dan Swaine, executive director of place at City of Doncaster Council, said: "As the relevant licensing authority for the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, I can confirm that, in line with our statutory duties, the council has launched a health and safety investigation."

In a social media statement, the wildlife park said Altai, the Amur tiger involved in the incident, would not be euthanised and was "safe and well".

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