This is the heroic moment police rescued a missing child in London, Ohio.

Police Officers Dylan Fout and Denise Dye spotted the young boy walking alone on the sidewalk on November 12.

Moments later, the officers received a 911 call about a missing five-year-old boy with autism.

As they continued searching the area on foot, Officer Fout saw the child in a nearby creek, partially submerged in 3ft of cold water.

He then entered the 40-degree creek and rescued the boy, pulling him to safety.

The child, conscious but distressed, began vomiting due to the frigid exposure and was quickly attended to by medics from London Fire.

He was transported to Madison Health for observation and released in stable condition.

The National Autism Association reports that wandering or elopement refers to the tendency of individuals to leave a safe environment, such as their home. This behaviour is observed in nearly half of children with autism and can result in tragic outcomes, including drownings and traffic accidents.