Two NHS ambulance staff probed over William Chapman tiger attack records breach
William Chapman, the former child actor killed by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, whose family said he had suffered 'significant mental illness over a number of years' and had been prescribed 'strong medication.'
Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust is investigating two staff members who are alleged to have viewed or sought to view William Chapman's medical records. Chapman, 24, was killed after being mauled by a Siberian tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on 10 October. The trust says both incidents occurred 'without a legitimate reason' and has reported the matter to the Information Commissioner's Office. Chapman's family, already dealing with questions about his mental health care before the attack, has been informed.
The two potential breaches were identified through the trust's own proactive audit systems rather than through a complaint or whistleblower.
Chapman, who had schizophrenia, died of 'multiple traumatic injuries' after scaling two fences to enter the enclosure of Altai, a 200kg Siberian tiger.
A separate NHS trust, Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber, has also launched a probe into its mental health contact with Chapman before his death.
