A brave man risked his life to save his neighbour swept away by rapid floodwater in northern China.

Video filmed in the city of Wuchang in Heilongjiang Province on August 4, shows a man named Zhao Yongli struggling in the rapid floodwater and another man named Dong Mingliang using a wooden board as a paddle to manoeuvre a rubber to try to approach Zhao.

As water levels of the Laline River rose perilously in Wuchang City, the river began encroaching upon a dyke near Tiexi Village. In a bid to protect the villagers' farmlands, Zhao Yongli, aboard his own excavator, rushed from a neighboring village, Hedong Village, to assist Erliang in reinforcing the dyke.

However, due to the rapid surge of floodwaters, the dyke collapsed after being submerged for an extended period, trapping Zhao's excavator and himself underwater.

Zhao Yongli recounted that he was unable to resurface after being carried roughly fifty meters downstream. The river's fierce current had formed a formidable whirlpool, spinning Zhao helplessly. Dong Mingliang then grabbed a makeshift rubber ring to mount a rescue operation.

After Dong reached out Zhao, he instructed Zhao to hold onto the rubber ring. This allowed them to stay afloat and catch their breath. Dong’s right hand clasped Zhao's, providing crucial support, while his left tirelessly paddled them towards the shore.

The mission succeeded as they reached solid ground.

Zhao expressed his gratitude, acknowledging the inherent danger of Dong’s life-saving venture. Zhao mused, "He (Dong) took a significant risk. Once he came down and I knew I was safe, I couldn't help but wonder how he would fare."

Fortunately, both individuals emerged from the ordeal unscathed.

The video was provided by local media with permission.

近日，受强降雨影响，黑龙江省五常市境内多座水库、多条河流超过汛限水位、多个乡镇受灾。在抢险救灾中，也发生了很多感人的故事。
视频中的落水者是河东村村民赵老五，原名赵永利，救援者二亮，原名董明亮。8月4日，五常市拉林河水位上涨，河水快要漫过铁西村村边的一条堤坝，为了保住乡亲们的农田，赵永利开着自家的挖掘机从隔壁河东村赶过来，和二亮一起帮忙加固堤坝。因为洪水涨势过快，河堤经过久泡坍塌，赵永利的挖掘机被困水中，人也掉进了水里。
赵永利介绍，游出四五十米上不来，实际心里也挺害怕，当时身体有点无力了。
当时的河水非常湍急，并形成了一个大的旋涡，赵永利随着旋涡在河里打转，无法向岸上靠近。岸上的村民看到都很着急，董明亮找到一个简易橡胶圈，准备去营救。
董明亮带着一块木板划着橡胶圈在河水中打转，他一直看着赵永利的方向，慢慢地靠近。
董明亮说：马上快到他那，我说你摸着我胶圈就行，就能浮住，咱们缓一缓歇一歇，然后他摸着我的胶圈，我感觉他有点体力不支，我用右手抓住他的手，死死抓住，左手我一个劲在划，带到岸边，然后就上岸了。
赵永利说：他也很危险，冒着生命危险下去，下来我知道安全了，他要不下来真不知道能啥样。
目前，两人身体并无大碍，赵永利为加固堤坝落到水里，董明亮不顾危险营救赵永利，在灾情面前他们都是平凡的英雄。
8月7日，阿里公益天天正能量平台决定授予赵永利和董明亮“天天正能量特别奖”荣誉证书及20000元奖金。