A man who jumped into the sea to save his dog during a storm had to be rescued as he was swept away by waves off the coast of England

Curtis Johnson's pooch Rex plunged into the water when it fell off the promenade in Cromer, Norfolk, on July 6.

Without hesitation, the pet owner followed to retrieve his beloved canine but unfortunately, the tides were too strong and he could not swim back to safety.

Footage shows the Cromer RNLI officers using a lifeboat to save Curtis amid the massive waves battering the seawall.

Curtis said: 'It was such a shock. Rex jumped so quickly, and I entered the water as safely as I could, but getting back out was tough.

'I'm incredibly grateful to Cromer RNLI and everyone who assisted. Their response was incredibly fast, and they played a vital role in ensuring both Rex and I were rescued safely.'

A local angler, Andy Siddall, alerted emergency services who responded to the scene.

Curtis added: 'I urge people not to let their dogs off leads near water, no matter how well-behaved they are. Dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard in emergencies like this.'

Cromer RNLI Coxswain mechanic Paul Watling said: 'Attempting to rescue pets in the sea can be extremely dangerous. We urge the public to prioritize safety and call emergency services instead.'

Meanwhile, Cromer RNLI Helm Kevin Johnson said both Curtis and his dog were safe.

He said: 'Despite challenging conditions, our team worked seamlessly to rescue Curtis and Rex. We're relieved both are safe.'