Huncoat grandmother feared for her life as Rhinos ram car

The huge beasts caused around £12,000 of damage when they rammed the vehicles of Zoe Farmer, 53, from Huncoat, and Charlotte Baker, 24, at West Midlands Safari Park.

The pair watched in horror as the two 1.5-tonne white rhinos charged at their cars and left children inside the cars screaming last Sunday, August 9.

Zoe's Dacia Sandero Stepway was left with significant damage to its front and sides, while Charlotte's BMW 3 Series suffered £6,000 in damage, and her husband was hospitalised with back pain.

Both traumatised mums said they feared they'd die during their terrifying ordeal and there were no park rangers in sight, meaning they had to carry on through the park with their mangled vehicles.   

The attraction, in Bewdley, Worcestershire, has since offered them free tickets as compensation, which Zoe and Charlotte have branded "an insult".

It said there is clear signage stating people enter at their own risk and it was satisfied with how staff handled the situation.

An example of white rhino (Image: Colchester Zoo)

Zoe, a school nurse assistant in Accrington had been enjoying the safari drive-through experience with her grandson and husband when she encountered the battling rhinos.

She said: "It was absolutely terrifying.

"We were on holiday at a caravan park in Stourport and had our four-year-old grandson with us, so we thought we'd take him for a day out at the safari park.

"We were sitting in a line of traffic through the rhino part when we heard what sounded like a massive car crash.

"That was the rhino smashing into Charlotte's car, and then we watched as these two rhinos began to fight right in front of us.

"One was being more aggressive, and the other was trying to get away.  

"We didn't know what to do, whether to drive or stay put, so we just stayed where we were.

"The next thing, the more aggressive rhino just charged at the front of the car.

"The two animals carried on fighting around the side of the car - and the rest of the damage was done by one pushing the other into the car.

"The car was swaying, and I thought we were going to die. 

"I thought it was going to tip over, and my grandson was out of his car seat as I had him on my lap to see the animals.

"All I was thinking about was his safety. I was screaming but trying to control myself for his sake. It was scary, very scary.

"Nobody came to help; there wasn't a park warden in sight, so we just had to carry on with our damaged car while really shaken up.

"We drove around the rest of the park for around 15 minutes before a ranger eventually came up to us.

"They escorted us to the car park and didn't offer anything in the way of an apology - they just said 'we're not liable' and that we could drive around again for free if we wanted.

"We found a car park attendant who told us to go to reception if we had a complaint - but there we were just greeted by a smirking and patronising deputy manager who told us it wasn't their fault; you go in at your own risk.

"He was comparing it to a deer running out into the road - but it's a bit different from that. Surely they have a duty of care to visitors.

"All we got from it was a can of Sprite.

"We wrote to complain and have been offered free tickets in the way of compensation, which felt a bit of an insult.

"But I'm not bothered about the compensation; it's about stopping these rhinos from killing somebody.

"These are powerful animals; the horns could easily pierce through a car and a child or a person.

"Another visitor staying in the rhino lodge said one was acting aggressively that morning, so why was it not removed for the safety of visitors?

"This has happened before there. But I don't think they will do anything until there is a fatality.

"We suspect the damage to the car is around £6,000-£7,000, but we're waiting to hear from the garage."

Charlotte, of Tipton, West Midlands, who was with her 24-year-old husband and 18-month-old child, said: “The rhino enclosure is the first thing you go into.

"We were sat there stationary, and then out of nowhere there the biggest thud hit us from behind.

"Two rhinos had started to fight and smashed into the back of our car, lunging us forward.

"It felt like we had been hit by a car. I thought a car had lost control and hit us.

"We could have died.

"The rangers did nothing to stop it and continued to let customers into it, so it could have carried on.

"My husband has had to go to hospital with back pain. He has had to take a day off work.

"I was crying, and my baby was screaming; it was terrifying.

"There were no rangers about, so visitors will have to essentially defend themselves from any rhino if it happens again in future.

"I have since seen that they have damaged other cars, so why are they still free-roaming, or at least a warning in place for customers?

“There was blood and stuff everywhere apparently.

“The repair has come to £6,000 if there’s no damage behind the panel. It’s more the shock; I was in absolute tears.

“There’s an imprint of the horn; it’s been traumatic.

“A day out at the safari cost us £6,000.”

Charlotte, who works in body repairs, said she was still "shaken up" following the incident and criticised the safari park's response.

She added:  “The attitude of the staff stunk; I show more empathy to our customers who have scratches on their cars.

"I understand that there are signs that tell us that we enter at our own risk, but I question why, if this has happened before, the White Rhinos are allowed to free roam.

"My husband was in hospital yesterday, and they haven’t even given us a courtesy call.

"The rangers did not seem to know what to do to stop the incident; they did not stop cars coming in, and to top it off we had to drive back through the drive past the rhinos to get out."

A spokesman for West Midlands Safari Park said: "We are aware of an incident involving three guest vehicles and the white rhinos in the Safari Drive on the morning of Sunday, August 9.

"An altercation between two rhinos resulted in collisions with the vehicles.

"The safety and welfare of our guests and animals is our highest priority, and keepers in patrol vehicles are always in close attendance to monitor all animal and vehicle movements.

"Our keepers responded immediately to the altercation, checked all guests, and offered assistance to those involved throughout the morning.

"The rhinos quickly settled and remained under close observation.

"We understand this may have been upsetting for guests, particularly families with young children, and our Guest Relations team will contact those involved to offer support."

The spokesman added: "We are happy that our rangers acted swiftly and appropriately, and we have since had emails from other guests who witnessed the incident, praising their swift actions."

"We kindly remind guests both online and through onsite signage that they are entering an environment where animals are free-roaming and that they do so at their own risk.

"All the guests will be contacted ASAP by our Guest Relations team, and we will require their insurance companies to get in touch with us, so this is all being taken very seriously and appropriate compensation will be discussed."