A driver narrowly saved himself and his car by driving off from under a poorly constructed roof shed seconds before it collapsed to the ground under the weight of snow.

The incident was captured on surveillance footage outside a home in Enshi in Hubei, China, on Monday afternoon, February 5.

The video shows the man standing next to the open boot of his white SUV.

He seemed to be taken aback by the strange creaking sound coming from the steel frame of the giant shed roof above him.

Realising it was about to break and fall on him, he hurriedly closed the boot, then closed the open passenger door and went in the driver's seat.

Just as he was about to drive off, a woman came out from the house.

He paused for a few moments, seemingly warning her to go back in, and moved the car forward.

Seconds later, the entire roof snapped in two and collapsed on the ground, narrowly missing the man and the woman who safely retreated inside.