This is the dramatic moment a ferry crashed into a bridge as it was swept along a swollen river in China.

Video shows the vessel colliding with a dam's spillway gate amid heavy rain in Hunan province on July 27.

The ferry overturned and sank into the water with no one on board.

Onlooker Huang said: 'At that time, we were just at the bank of the power station and saw a tourist boat was rushing towards us.

'Because the dam upstream was discharging water that day, the water flow was very fast. In just a few seconds, the boat was washed away to the gate, and the moment it hit the gate, it was destroyed by the impact. It was terrifying.'

China is currently in its peak flood season, which usually lasts from July to August.