Firemen rescued a teenager who was trapped in a river when flash flood gushed through while swimming with friends.

The officers were called to help a 12-year-old boy who struggled to float amid powerful currents in Sapangdaku River in Cebu, the Philippines, on September 16.

Footage shows an officer saving the boy as they were being dragged to safety by the other volunteers using a rope.

The boy was unhurt and assisted to return home after being checked by medics.

Neighbour Wendell Bacus said: ‘We thank the firemen for their swift action. The boy was safe because of them.'

The Philippines and neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia are at the start of their annual monsoon rainy season which sees soaring temperatures followed by powerful rain storms. The rudimentary infrastructure often struggles with the deluge, leading to widespread flash floods.