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Witnesses reveal chilling details about man before he died after climbing into tiger enclosure
Several visitors to Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday have spoken out about the deadly tiger attack they witnessed.
Emergency services rushed to the park at 1.35PM 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.
Witnesses have revealed what happened in the build-up to the attack
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.
Since the shocking incident, a video of the attack showing the tiger pawing at the unnamed man while witnesses from outside the enclosure tried unsuccessfully to distract the tiger by shouting at it has gone viral, but cops have urged the public not to share it.
Speaking to the press, witnesses have revealed what they saw. One person told LADbible: “People near us were saying how they'd been near the tiger enclosure when they'd seen a young man climbing the fence into the enclosure where he had provoked the tigers, which then retaliated.”
Another person who allegedly watched the fateful moment 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.”
The tiger was not harmed in the incident, but there is a lot of speculation about what will happen to him following the attack.
Cops have urged people not to share the video of the attack
South Yorkshire Police made a public statement saying: "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 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.
"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.”