Several RVs and trucks damaged after three elephants escape from children's ride section of Moolah Shrine Circus

This article is more than 6 years old

This article is more than 6 years old

Three elephants escaped on Saturday from their handlers at a circus in the US and damaged several vehicles in the parking lot before they were recaptured.

Television station KMOV reported that the female elephants escaped from the children's ride section of the Moolah Shrine Circus in Missouri.

Sally Schmiz, a witness, told KMOV: "Things started shaking, [and] when I looked up I saw three elephants coming toward us.

"These huge elephants literally went through these RVs. Then they went through two trucks, breaking mirrors and panels off and breaking the windows."

The circus issued a statement saying the handlers were able to occupy the animals and that "they are now resting comfortably in their compound at this time".

Police said the animals also damaged the venue's loading door. No one was hurt during the incident