THE family of a man who was killed by a tiger after he jumped into a zoo enclosure have described him as a “bright, warm and engaging young man”.
William Chapman, 23, was mauled to death at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, on Saturday afternoon.
Emergency services were contacted shortly after 1.30pm when Chapman – who police said was visiting the park alone – entered the enclosure.
Park rangers fired warning shots at a Siberian tiger to scare him away before it retreated to a nearby shelter and was secured.
But despite the best efforts of emergency medics, Chapman was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
An inquest is due to open into his death tomorrow at Doncaster Coroner’s Court.
His family released a heartbreaking statement on Tuesday evening, saying William was on “strong medication” having suffered from “significant mental illness over a number of years”.
“The publication and circulation of deeply offensive media content is causing them 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.”
In the statement, his family added: “William was a bright, warm and engaging young man whom his family dearly loved – and William loved them back.
“Sadly, William suffered from significant mental illness over a number of years and was consequently prescribed strong medication.
“It will be for the coroner to decide what part this played in his death. We would ask everybody to respect that process.”
Chapman had reportedly posed for photos with the tiger in the background just moments before he recorded himself approaching the 30st apex predator.
A short clip, apparently posted on a now-deleted Instagram account, was filmed inside the tiger’s enclosure and the large animal can be seen lying on top of a wooden platform, a few metres in front of the camera.
In the audio, the person filming can be heard breathing heavily as distant voices shout: “Oh my God” and: “Seriously.”
It is thought Chapman leapt from a viewing platform before the animal dragged him away.
He reportedly asked the big cat – named Altai – to “stop being naughty” before its “eyes locked on him and it pounced”.
At one stage, he was filmed sitting on the grass, face-to-face with the animal, forcefully pointing his finger and kicking out.
Another visitor twice shouted “Hey!” in a bid to distract the beast, but it clamped its mouth around the man’s neck and hauled him away.
In other shocking footage he can be heard yelling “No, no, no!” and “Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop!” as the five-year-old big cat repeatedly lunged for him in front of families with children.
A brave and quick-thinking mother “desperately tried to pull back” the man before he jumped into the pen.
Witnesses reported seeing Chapman “dancing erratically” when arriving at the park earlier in the day.
It also emerged on Tuesday that Chapman was a child actor on an ITV show alongside a Harry Potter star.
William appeared in the ITV show May Contain Nuts alongside Shirley Henderson – best known for playing Moaning Myrtle in the Harry Potter films – and Darren Boyd, reported the BBC.
The two-part comedy drama aired in 2009 with Chapman credited as playing the role of Alfie Chaplin, the younger son of Henderson and Boyd’s characters.
The child actor was also credited with portraying Edward Jenner – who pioneered the smallpox vaccine – as a young boy in the educational BBC series True Stories in 2012.
He was a former student at the renowned Jackie Palmer Stage School in High Wycombe, which counts stars Eddie Redmayne, James Corden and Aaron Taylor-Johnson among its alumni.
In a tribute shared on Facebook, the school said it was “deeply saddened” to hear of the loss of its former student.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with William’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time,” the school said.
“We loved watching William grow, both as a person and as a performer, during his time with us.
“It was a privilege to be part of his journey, and he will be remembered with great fondness by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.
“William will be truly missed, and he will always hold a special place in our hearts. Rest in peace, William.”
Yorkshire Wildlife Park will remain closed on Wednesday for a fifth day following the attack.
City of Doncaster Council, which is responsible for licensing the park, said on Monday it had started a health and safety investigation.