Zookeeper killed in incident involving a tiger at zoo north of London
LONDON -- A zookeeper was killed in an incident involving a tiger, police in southeastern England say.
"A keeper sadly died when a tiger entered the enclosure with her," Cambridgeshire police tweeted Monday about the incident at Hamerton Zoo Park, which is 80 miles north of London.
Update Hamerton Zoo Park: A keeper sadly died when a tiger entered the enclosure with her. At no point did the tiger escape from enclosure.
— Cambs police (@CambsCops) May 29, 2017
The zoo was evacuated when the incident took place and an air ambulance was called. An eyewitness said visitors were removed calmly and that there was no panic.
Police said that the tiger did not escape from the enclosure.
ITV News reports that the zoo confirmed one of its staff members died and also said that staff was "too distressed to speak" to the media.
"An investigation is currently under way and we hope that more details can be announced as soon as we are able," the zoo said in a statement, ITV News reports.
"At no point during the incident did any animals escape and at no point was public safety affected in any way," the statement said, adding that thoughts were with the zoo's colleagues, families and friends "at this dreadful time."