Tragedy as man mauled by tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park dies
Police said earlier today they received reports of “a man entering a tiger enclosure”
A man who was attacked by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park after entering its enclosure has died.
The man, whose identity has not yet been released, entered the Land of the Tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park just after 1,30pm.
A video circulating online captured a tiger with a hold on the man as he lay on the ground.
Police said earlier today that at 1.35pm they received reports of “a man entering a tiger enclosure” and that he was seriously inured in an attack.
However, it has since emerged that the mauling proved fatal.
SYP said: “At 1.35pm today (Saturday 10 October) 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 man's family is aware and is being supported by specialist officers. Our thoughts are with them at this distressing time.
“Regarding rumours surrounding the condition of the tiger, the animal was uninjured and remained in the enclosure following the incident and there is no wider risk to the public.
“Following the incident, Yorkshire Wildlife Park was evacuated and officers remain on scene carrying out enquiries.
“We are aware of videos circulating online and we would encourage people not to share this footage.”
The park was evacuated and closed as police and paramedics swarmed the enclosure this afternoon.
Eye witnesses said a “black screen” was erected around the tiger enclosure while there were reports of “shots fired” shortly before the evacuation.
Multiple witnesses say an “agitated” male was seen to jump into the enclosure and was grabbed by one of the cats before “five shots” of what some say was a “gas canister” into the cage.
Tia Hanson was at the park for a day out with a pal when at around 2pm the walkway between the tiger enclosure and the exit was closed, she said.
She added: “It looks as if someone has jumped into the enclosure and they’ve had to shoot the tiger. People are saying they heard a gunshot and they say someone either jumped in, or fell in.
“There was an air ambulance and police everywhere. We’ve all been made to leave.
“When you’re leaving you have to walk past the tiger enclosure and they’ve put up all sort of black tarpaulin so you couldn’t really see.
“But there were loads of police and ambulance people and a stretcher in the enclosure as well.
“It wasn’t nice - there were lots of people who looked really upset.”