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Cops issue chilling new warning as footage emerges of man who died after entering tiger enclosure
Shortly after a man died after being attacked by a tiger at a wildlife park in England, police issued a stark warning to the public.
Emergency services rushed to Yorkshire Wildlife Park at 1.35PM on Saturday after receiving calls that a man had jumped into a tiger enclosure.
Tragically, the man, believed to be in his 20s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The man was killed after jumping into a tiger enclosure
The young man, who has not yet been named, is thought to have leapt from a viewing platform before big cat Altai dragged him away at the wildlife park yesterday.
Moments later, rangers fired two warning shots from a shotgun to scare the male tiger away before he retreated to his pen and was quickly secured, but it was too late, and the man had already been mauled to death.
Cops have since revealed that the deadly big cat attacked the man inside the enclosure, leaving him with severe injuries before emergency medical personnel could safely reach him.
A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police said: "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 rumors 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."
Cops have urged people not to share videos of the attack
After videos of the tragic incident went viral and continue to circulate online, cops have urged the public to avoid the distressing footage and not share it.
The spokesperson also added: "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 video of the attack, which has since gone viral, shows the tiger pawing at the unnamed man while witnesses from outside the enclosure tried unsuccessfully to distract the tiger by shouting at it.
A visitor who allegedly saw the incident unfold wrote on Facebook: “20 minutes before today’s tragic incident at Yorkshire Wildlife Park this tiger was sat in the sunshine.
“The man who I saw on the bridge with his EarPods in dancing was happily enjoying seeing the tiger.
“He obviously wasn’t with anyone, and he asked a total stranger to take a picture of him with the tiger in the background. Probably the last photo on his phone.
“I’m not sure if he was with a carer or family member, but I honestly do think he just wanted to play with the tiger.”