This is the moment brave youngsters rescued a goat that was swept away in a gushing river.

Emmanuel Nudalo, 18, went with his two cousins Christian and Ronelo to catch fish for dinner in the river when there was a heavy downpour in Leyte province, the Philippines on August 22.

While heading back home, the trio heard a goat crying and saw the animal struggling to stay afloat in the fast-flowing water.

The quick-thinking lads then searched for a long pole and started pulling the stricken goat until it was safely on the riverbanks.

Emmanuel said: ‘It felt good that we saved the goat. We did not think that it would survive on its own if we left it there so we did our best.

‘My cousins also helped me think of a way to save the goat. We were relieved that it was not hurt even after almost drowning in the water.’

The animal – uninjured from the incident – was returned to the farmer who lived nearby who thanked the boys before they went home.