Families 'feared they would die' after cars smashed up by fighting rhinos at West Midlands Safari Park

Families 'feared they would die' after cars smashed up by fighting rhinos at West Midlands Safari Park The rhinos caused an estimated £12,000 of damage when they rammed vehicles at West Midlands Safari Park as a mum and grandma were left screaming and watching on in horror Two families believed they were "going to die" after their cars were smashed up by a pair of fighting rhinos at a safari park. The animals caused about £12,000 of damage when they rammed the vehicles of Zoe Farmer, 53, 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 vehicles screaming last Sunday. Zoe's £19,000 Dacia Sandero Stepway was left with significant damage to the front and side while Charlotte's £21,000 BMW 3 series suffered an estimated £6,000 worth of damage with her husband also needing to be hospitalised for 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 branded "an insult." Grandma-of-one Zoe, a school nurse assistant, from Accrington, Lancashire, 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 charges 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 than 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 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." 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, 9 August. 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."