Trapped by a torrent of water - a taxi driver and his female passenger are stranded by a pier in this dam in southern China, after gushing floodwaters wash their vehicle off the road.

The woman eventually loses her grip and is washed downstream, but firefighters are quick to rescue her.

But they're forced to wait for a crane to rescue the trapped driver who is still clinging to the pier.

With the help of the crane, rescuers manage to reach the victim to deliver a rope and life vest.

He is eventually pulled to safety after being stranded for around an hour.

Sunita Rappai Reuters