This is the shocking moment an escaped buffalo attacked a woman crossing a road in Thailand.

The rampaging animal charged onto the busy road after breaking free on its way home from the fields in Bangkok on October 8.

The confused bull then turned to terrified pedestrians who ran for their lives as the creature charged towards them.

Dashcam footage shows the buffalo goring a woman, later identified as Preeyanut, 58, from behind as she walked across the zebra lane.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Adul Thongpetch said: ‘It gored an elderly woman's right leg while it was running loose. The buffalo had already been put in a safer area away from people.'

The creature struck the woman at least three more times with its horn as she collapsed on the ground.

Brave onlookers approached together and scared the buffalo away before it backed off, and the officers were called to the scene. The woman sustained deep gashes on her right leg and was rushed to Chularat 9 Hospital while no one else was hurt from the incident.

Livestock officials and volunteers herded the buffalo into Lat Krabang 30 Road, which has grassland and is far from the community.

The nervous buffalo was reportedly new in the area after a farmer bought it from a slaughterhouse out of pity.

However, it was unfamiliar with the place, so it ended up in the noisy main road, which was two miles away from home where there were many people.

Buffalo owner Panupon Tungngeonsri said: ‘I purchased the buffalo from its previous owner in Bang Phli district in Samut Prakan province. It was about to be sent to the slaughterhouse.

‘I felt sad about it so I brought it home. But I guess it wasn't familiar with the area so it escaped and ran about two miles away from my house. I will take care of the victim's medical bill.'