Kind fishermen released an 8ft-long leatherback turtle caught in their net.

The trawlers noticed the massive marine creature trapped while they were hauling in their catch in Krabi province, southern Thailand on January 28.

Three boat crew then jumped into the water to help free it back to the sea. Footage shows the men helping the creature out of the net in Krabi province, southern Thailand on January 28.

Fisherman Navin Maranakitsomboon said: 'I'm happy the turtle is now swimming free in the sea. We were relieved it was not hurt.'

The leatherback turtle is the heaviest among living turtles in the world. As with other turtles, leatherbacks could drown when trapped inside a net for prolonged periods with no access to the surface to breathe.