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Cumbria Tiger attack: Sarah McClay dies of her injuries | Cumbria Tiger attack: Sarah McClay dies of her injuries |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A zoo worker who was attacked by a tiger has died of her injuries. | A zoo worker who was attacked by a tiger has died of her injuries. |
Sarah McClay, 24, was attacked by a Sumatran tiger in an enclosure at South Lakes Wild Animal Park, near Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria, on Friday. | Sarah McClay, 24, was attacked by a Sumatran tiger in an enclosure at South Lakes Wild Animal Park, near Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria, on Friday. |
Det Supt Andrew Slattery from Cumbria Police said its inquiry was centred on "the management of dangerous animals". | Det Supt Andrew Slattery from Cumbria Police said its inquiry was centred on "the management of dangerous animals". |
David Gill, the park's owner, told BBC Radio 5 live there was "no reason" for Ms McClay to be in the enclosure with the tigers. | David Gill, the park's owner, told BBC Radio 5 live there was "no reason" for Ms McClay to be in the enclosure with the tigers. |
Mr Slattery said "systems and protocols" at the park were being investigated. | Mr Slattery said "systems and protocols" at the park were being investigated. |
"At this stage it is not a criminal investigation," he said. | "At this stage it is not a criminal investigation," he said. |
'Inexplicable reasons' | 'Inexplicable reasons' |
Mr Gill said Ms McClay, who is originally from Glasgow, was a "very experienced" staff member who had worked with big cats and was "proficient and passionate" at her job, but staff should have no direct contact with the tigers. | |
"We have very strict protocols and procedures for working with big cats, but it seems she failed to follow correct procedures," he said. | "We have very strict protocols and procedures for working with big cats, but it seems she failed to follow correct procedures," he said. |
"For inexplicable reasons she opened a door and walked into the enclosure. | "For inexplicable reasons she opened a door and walked into the enclosure. |
"We will never know why she entered without telling anyone. There was no reason for her to go in there." | "We will never know why she entered without telling anyone. There was no reason for her to go in there." |
Mr Gill described Ms McClay as a "bubbly, happy girl" and described her death as a "tragedy for her family and all the staff". | Mr Gill described Ms McClay as a "bubbly, happy girl" and described her death as a "tragedy for her family and all the staff". |
He said the attack happened at about 16:00 BST on Friday and he believed it was witnessed by one member of the public. | He said the attack happened at about 16:00 BST on Friday and he believed it was witnessed by one member of the public. |
The park was closed early and all visitors evacuated from the area, but following discussions with investigators and staff a decision had been made to reopen as usual on Saturday. | The park was closed early and all visitors evacuated from the area, but following discussions with investigators and staff a decision had been made to reopen as usual on Saturday. |
Mr Gill said: "The public were not at risk and we followed all our accident procedures to the letter. | Mr Gill said: "The public were not at risk and we followed all our accident procedures to the letter. |
"We had a meeting of all staff at 5.30pm and asked what they wanted. There was a huge consensus of opinion that we carry on. | "We had a meeting of all staff at 5.30pm and asked what they wanted. There was a huge consensus of opinion that we carry on. |
"It would not do any good to close the park as there is no safety issue." | "It would not do any good to close the park as there is no safety issue." |
He said the Sumatran tiger, which has lived at the park for 10 years since it was a cub, would not be destroyed. | He said the Sumatran tiger, which has lived at the park for 10 years since it was a cub, would not be destroyed. |
"He didn't do anything wrong. He's a tiger and his natural instinct is to kill. We all know that and that's why all the protocols are in place. | "He didn't do anything wrong. He's a tiger and his natural instinct is to kill. We all know that and that's why all the protocols are in place. |
"He didn't make a mistake, he was just there. We don't blame him for what happened." | "He didn't make a mistake, he was just there. We don't blame him for what happened." |
The attack is being investigated by Cumbria Police and Barrow Borough Council. | The attack is being investigated by Cumbria Police and Barrow Borough Council. |
Ms McClay's family were "very shocked and distressed", officers said. | Ms McClay's family were "very shocked and distressed", officers said. |
She died at Royal Preston Hospital where she had been taken suffering from head and neck injuries. | She died at Royal Preston Hospital where she had been taken suffering from head and neck injuries. |