This is the moment a hero cop risks his life as he jumps in front of a moving lorry to stop it from running over three young students crossing the street.

Traffic policeman Chen Zuobing was on duty assisting students outside their school gate on Qingnian Road in Changchun, the capital city of Jilin, China, on June 18.

Vehicles were passing smoothly and one driver, in a white city car, stopped to give way to three young students at a pedestrian crossing.

Thinking it was safe, the trio rushed forward without noticing a large incoming lorry that was headed straight for them at speed.

Chen saw the lorry was about to run over the youngsters and immediately raised his hand to signal the lorry driver to stop.

He also put himself in front of the vehicle even though the driver had been going so fast that he could not break in time.

Chen got struck by the lorry and was pushed back several feet, but thankfully he managed to keep his balance or he otherwise might have ended up under its wheels.

The students and nearby parents who witnessed the scene were in shock and walked past quickly, thanking him repeatedly.

Chen was later praised by school leaders many teachers, students and parents, local media reported.