A woman who witnessed the fatal tiger attack at Yorkshire Wildlife Park has recalled the heartbreaking moments leading up to the tragedy, describing the confusion and fear among visitors as they realised what was happening.
Ella Ford, 24, was visiting the wildlife park with her boyfriend on Saturday, October 10, when she saw 23-year-old William Chapman enter the enclosure housing an Amur tiger named Altai. Chapman later died at the scene despite the emergency response.
Ford said she had noticed Chapman pacing near the enclosure before he climbed inside. As the situation unfolded, visitors struggled to understand what was happening, while others desperately tried to get help.
“It’s all a bit of a blur. I tried to look away but I couldn’t,” Ford recalled, describing the distressing scene. She also remembered people urging parents to move their children away as the danger became clear.
According to witness accounts reported by the Manchester Evening News, one visitor attempted to frighten the tiger by banging on the fence, but the animal did not respond. Wildlife park staff eventually used gas-powered acoustic guns to scare Altai away and into a nearby shelter.
The incident has left witnesses shaken and raised painful questions about the circumstances surrounding Chapman’s death. South Yorkshire Police confirmed that emergency services attended the park, but Chapman was pronounced dead at the scene.
His family has since paid tribute to him, describing him as a “bright, warm and engaging young man” whom they dearly loved. They also revealed that he had experienced significant mental health difficulties for several years, asking the public to respect the ongoing coroner’s process and their privacy.
The family has also urged people to stop circulating footage of the incident, saying the online content has caused them severe distress during an exceptionally vulnerable time.
Altai will not be euthanised following the attack. Authorities are investigating the circumstances, and an inquest is expected to examine the events surrounding Chapman’s death.
For those who witnessed the tragedy, the memories remain deeply upsetting — a day at a wildlife park that ended in unimaginable loss.
Source: Manchester Evening News · Sky News
