Caravan Insurance

Witnesses of a road accident in Sweden were more than a little surprised to see three elephants emerge from the wreckage of a van and begin grazing by the roadside.

The accident took place on the road to Stockholm when the vehicle, part of a convoy transporting a circus, overturned while taking a sharp bend.

The elephants waited calmly at the scene of the crash until alternative transport was found for them.

"I suppose they could have run away but they were very complacent and stayed on the meadow, close to their keeper," said Anders Karllson of the emergency services.

The emergency services, assuming the accident was more serious, dispatched a rescue helicopter and three ambulances to the scene.

Police spokesman, Lars Ivarrson explained what they found: "They said one person was trapped in the van, but it turned out it was just an elephant."

The fourth elephant and the van driver were slightly injured in the accident, but are believed to be recovering well.