This is the heartwarming moment a deer stuck in a frozen lake was rescued in Minnesota.

The wild animal was growing weaker from struggling in the icy waters and appeared close to succumbing to the elements.

But the emergency services arrived and one fireman waded through the frigid water and crawled across the ice in Owatonna to reach the frightened creature.

The Owatonna Fire Department said they teamed up with the Department of Natural Resources to rescue the deer.

A spokesman said: 'The firefighter donned a specialized rescue suit that provided protection against the icy temperatures, enabling him to navigate the treacherous conditions and bring the struggling deer to safety.

'Thanks to the quick thinking and courageous actions of the firefighters, the deer was successfully rescued and released back into the wild.'