Female zookeeper killed by tiger in 'freak accident' at Hamerton Zoo named as Rosa King

This is the first picture of a female zookeeper killed by a tiger in a "freak accident" on Bank Holiday Monday.

Rosa King, 33, died after a tiger "entered an enclosure with a keeper" at Hamerton Zoo.

Visitors were evacuated from the busy Cambridgeshire attraction a little before midday as police and air ambulance were scrambled.

Police were called at 11.15am to reports of a serious incident, while a Magpas air ambulance was on the scene 20 minutes later.

Cambridgeshire Constabulary said on Facebook: "Officers attended a serious incident at Hamerton Zoo Park, Steeple Girding, at around 11.15am today.

"A tiger had entered an enclosure with a keeper. Sadly the female zookeeper died at the scene.

"At no time did the animal escape from the enclosure. The incident is not believed to be suspicious."

A statement handed out at the gates of the park read: "We are sorry but our staff are too distressed to speak to the media as one of our colleagues was killed at Hamerton Zoo Park this morning.

"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."

The zoo confirmed it would remain closed on Tuesday while the investigation continues.

Claims that a tiger had escaped from a cage were earlier denied by the zoo, while a Cambridgeshire Police spokesman said: "We can confirm that no animals have escaped and members of the public are 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."

Charlie Hawthorn, told the Daily Mirror: “When we were going into the zoo there were zookeepers came rushing over telling us there’d been a serious incident and everyone needed to get out.

“Then they actually let us back in for around 15 or 20 minutes before the zookeepers started running around in a bit more of a panic and saying everyone had to get out."

Chris Hubbard posted on Twitter: "Police and air ambulance called to @HamertonZoo and guests are being cleared out. Hope everyone's okay."

Pictures of the scene appeared to show an air ambulance and emergency services at the zoo.

Jessica Russell said on the site: "I shouldn't leave the house.

“Try to go to @HamertonZoo and all hell breaks loose. Evacuated and air ambulance/police/ambulances."

Meanwhile 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, no children were injured."