Horrified witnesses to the fatal tiger attack at Yorkshire Wildlife Park have claimed the victim ‘tried to use sign language’ to communicate with the animal during the attack
The man who was mauled to death by a tiger at a Yorkshire Wildlife Park desperately “tried to use sign language” to tell the beast what it was doing was “bad!” in the midst of the horror attack. Some witnesses claim the man was “obviously autistic and deaf”.
In shocking footage circulating online, the fatal tiger attack victim is seen being thrown around by the 30-stone animal as eyewitnesses “freeze” and don’t know what to do upon seeing the horror unfold. The video, which police have asked not to be shared online, shows the young man desperately signing something to the tiger.
While some have suggested the victim was pointing at the animal with his index finger as to scold the tiger by saying “no!”, others have speculated that he was actually pointing with his little finger. In Makaton sign language, this means “bad!”.
This has left some believing the man may have had some kind of special needs, despite witnesses suggesting he was there alone without any carers.
It comes as eyewitnesses described the harrowing final moments of the man, as he appeared to “bow down” to the beast. The victim was killed by one of the tigers at Yorkshire Wildlife Park after climbing into the enclosure on Saturday, October 10. He was supposedly seen “dancing” as to “hype” himself up before entering the site.
Anthony Hunt, 22, a university graduate, and Scarlet Hogan, 21, a pharmacy worker, were enjoying a day out when the tragedy unfolded.
Ms Hogan revealed the man appeared to take selfies before “getting on the floor and starting to pray” after entering the pen. Hunt said: “It looked like a performance.
“He got down where everyone could see him in the main viewing area. He was on all fours, praying and bowing down to the tiger. It was like he was waiting for the tiger.”
Hunt described how the man gestured towards the tiger in his final moments, saying: “He had his arms wide open like he was saying: ‘Come here, tiger. Kill me.’ Then the tiger came and started to attack him.”
“He started to fight back and screamed. It was like he was just detached from reality. The last thing we saw was the tiger on his neck.” Mr Hunt said: “I have never frozen before in my life, but I just froze.”
The emergency services were called to the scene at 1.35pm on Saturday, with an air ambulance alongside two ambulances attending. The park was closed all weekend following the horrific incident.
South Yorkshire Police released a statement on Saturday evening. It 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.”
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