Zoo keeper killed by tiger in enclosure

A zookeeper has been killed in a “freak accident” after a tiger entered her enclosure.

Police were called at 11.15am yesterday to reports of a serious incident at a zoo in Cambridgeshire. An air ambulance was on the scene 20 minutes later and the attraction was evacuated of visitors.

A ZOOKEEPER has been killed in a “freak accident” after a tiger entered the enclosure she was in.

Police were called at 11.15am yesterday to reports of a serious incident at Hamerton Zoo Park in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.

An air ambulance was on the scene 20 minutes later and visitors were evacuated from the attraction a little before noon.

The zoo released a statement saying: “This appears to have been a freak accident.

“A full investigation is currently under way and we hope that more details can be announced as soon as we are able.

“At no point during the incident did any animals escape their enclosures, and at no point was public safety affected in any way.

“All our thoughts and sympathies are with our colleagues, friends and families at this dreadful time.”

People took to social media to express their condolences following the woman’s death.

One user posted on Twitter: “Terrible news about the keeper at Hamerton Zoo. Such an awful shock for everyone. RIP.”

Another wrote: “A zookeeper sadly died earlier today at Hamerton Zoo. So tragic, their life was taken too soon. RIP.”

Cambridgeshire Police had earlier denied that any animals had escaped, saying members of the public were safe.

Eyewitness Jeff Knott, from Cambridgeshire, said staff had been “a real credit” to the zoo during the evacuation.

The 32-year-old said: “We had been in the zoo since about 10.30am and heard/seen nothing until asked to leave about 11.45am.

“Staff were very calm and professional. All visitors around us were leaving in a very calm manner – no running, shouting or anything similar.”

Antonia Brickell, from Magpas air ambulance, denied reports that visitors had been “running in terror”, adding: “The visitors were safely evicted from the zoo.

“No animals escaped the enclosure and no children were injured.”

She also confirmed that the incident was not terrorism-related.

An EEAST ambulance service paramedic crew and two rapid response vehicles also attended the incident.