Circus elephants in St. Louis escape, rampage

ST. CHARLES, Mo. - Authorities say three elephants escaped from their handlers at a circus near St. Louis and damaged several vehicles in the parking lot before they were recaptured.

CBS affiliate KMOV in St. Louis reports that the female elephants escaped from the the children's ride section of the Moolah Shrine Circus at the Family Arena in St. Charles.

"Things started shaking, When I looked up I saw three elephants coming toward us," Sally Schmiz, a witness to the event, told KMOV. "These huge elephants literally went through these huge RVs. Then they went through two trucks breaking mirrors off, and panels off and breaking the windows."

Officials confirmed these are the elephants children can ride, however, no children were on the elephants when they got loose.

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 say that the animals also damaged the venue's loading door.