This is the terrifying moment an escaped buffalo charged down a street - before locals fired gunshots at it.

The beast sparked panic when it rampaged along a highway charging at passers-by in Sumatra island, Indonesia on December 20.

Residents fled as the buffalo hurtled towards them. However, two men produced handguns and fired several blank rounds at the animal to try and scare it away.

Shocked onlooker Shania Farani said three people were injured after being gored by the buffalo.

Shania said: "I don't know why the buffalo had to hurt the people around him and causes chaos in the city."

The resident mentioned that they usually see mammals in the city walking according to the group and looking for grass and this is her first time seeing an aggressive buffalo.

She said the animal had escaped from a farm and attacked one woman who was driving at the time.

The beast was chased away into nearby trees and disappeared into farmland unharmed from the altercation.

Shania added: ''The buffalo ran away and that was the last time anybody saw him. I hope he's safe and the owner collects it.''