Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) is investigating reports that staff members may have accessed the medical records of a man killed in a tiger attack without authorization. The trust identified two potential incidents involving two employees who allegedly accessed or attempted to access information regarding 24-year-old William Chapman following his death.
The potential breaches were discovered during proactive audits conducted by the ambulance trust. Chapman died on a Saturday at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster after entering a tiger enclosure. An inquest into his death opened on Thursday at Doncaster Coroner’s Court, providing details on the circumstances of the incident and Chapman’s background.
According to a spokesperson for the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, the agency has reported the matter to the Information Commissioner’s Office, the United Kingdom's independent body for data privacy rights. The trust stated it has robust systems to protect patient information and is currently working to establish the full circumstances of the staff members' actions. Chapman’s family has been notified of the investigation.
The investigation follows an incident where Chapman climbed over two fences to enter the tiger enclosure. The inquest heard that Chapman had a history of mental illness, a diagnosis of schizophrenia, and had suffered previous bouts of psychosis, though he was described as high-functioning and independent at the time of his death. Following the attack, park staff secured the tiger and paramedics confirmed Chapman's death at the scene. The trust has offered condolences to his relatives and stated it will keep the family informed as the internal investigation and the review by the Information Commissioner’s Office progress. The inquest will proceed to determine the official cause and circumstances of the fatality.