Woman killed ‘instantly’ after being attacked by tiger that mauled her neck as she worked at safari park

A YOUNG woman was killed "instantly" after she was attacked by a tiger that mauled her neck as she worked at a safari park.

The casualty, who has not been identified by police, was among staff members working in a big cat enclosure in Chile, South America.

She suffered horror neck wounds during the shocking incident in Rancagua, 60 miles south of capital Santiago, and died "on the spot", cops say.

It's reported that the door of the tiger's enclosure had been left open.

Animals at the park roam freely while visitors drive by and observe them in their habitats.

Promotional photos from the attraction show lions climbing onto reinforced vehicles.

However, when staff are working, animals are confined to their enclosures.

Williams Espinoza of the Rancagua police said: "She did not realise that the door of the animal's cage was open.

"She was immediately attacked by this tiger, causing her death on the spot."

The safari park was closed while police investigated.

Jorge Mena, from the regional public prosecutor's office, said they would be investigating possible third-party culpability for what happened.

The Rancagua Safari Park did not respond to a request for comment.

The condition of the tiger is not known.