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An Australian rescuer put his own life on the line Friday when he dove into raging floodwaters to save a struggling teen.
An unnamed 14-year-old was playing in a creek in Rockhampton, Queensland with a friend when he lost his footing and was swept up in the flash flood, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports. As the boy clung to a tree, a rescuer dove in, brought him to safety, but then the hero was dragged more than 300 feet downstream, according to Courier Mail.
An onlooker told ABC 24 that her "heart was in her mouth” as the scene turned grave. After the brave rescuer saved the boy, he had to release himself from the ropes that were tying him to the bank in order to make it out. He eventually made his way to safety.
This dramatic water rescue is just one of 20 cases authorities responded to overnight Thursday and Friday across central Queensland state, according to AFP.
In the aftermath of Cyclone Oswald, the area has been hit with massive rainfalls and Rockhampton recorded its highest ever daily rainfall, the Courier Mail reported on Saturday in Australia.
As authorities continue to respond to calls related to flooded homes and swept away vehicles, rescue crews continue to search for two men and a fishing boat that was reported sinking off Yeppoon, according to the paper.
As the for the boy who managed to make it out alive, Brett Williams, a station officer, told ABC that he’s “lucky” to be alive.
"The current was so strong,” he said, “it just took him away."
Rescuer Saves Boy From Flash Flood
PHOTOS: Australian Broadcasting Corporation