MP pledges support for wildlife park following tiger death tragedy
The Labour MP has said ‘my prayers remain with William and his family’
A Doncaster MP has said he is supporting Yorkshire Wildlife Park and sending prayers to the family of William Chapman after the 24-year-old was mauled to death by a tiger.
Doncaster East and Isle of Axholme MP Lee Pitcher has said he will reach out ‘privately’ to the team at the visitor attraction following last Saturday’s tragedy.
An inquest into Mr Chapman’s death was opened yesterday and three separate investigations are under way with City of Doncaster Council, South Yorkshire Police and RDaSH, the health Trust William was receiving mental health care from, all carrying out probes.
In a statement, Mr Pitcher said: “In the last couple of days, the man who tragically died at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park was named online as William Chapman.
“I wanted to take a moment to share my heartfelt sympathy for William’s family.
“I just cannot imagine the pain they are going through right now.
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“I can only imagine how awful it has been for them to see all the speculation being shared online about William’s death over the past few days while they try to come to terms with what has happened.
“That is why I am asking that everyone now leaves the family to grieve in peace.
“Sharing this tragic incident on social media serves no one, and only ensures that those who witnessed William’s death, and his loved ones, are retraumatised right at the point where we should be offering them our support.
“As the local Member of Parliament, I want to focus now on supporting people locally, including the whole team at Yorkshire Wildlife Park who will be going through such a difficult time currently.
“Out of respect, I will be doing this privately, and don’t intend to make any further statements.
“My prayers remain with William, his family, and all those who have been affected by this terrible incident.”
The park is scheduled to re-open this morning (Friday).
It has been closed since last Saturday afternoon after former child actor William climbed over a fence into the enclosure of Amur tiger Altai where he was fatally attacked.