This is the heroic moment a brave passerby risked his life to rescue a drowning girl from a rough sea.

Dramatic footage shows the young man with long hair wearing a white top attempting to reach the girl as strong waves pull her out toward the beach in Hele, Hainan, China, on January 30.

He turns back several times to avoid being crushed by the large waves but eventually manages to reach her and grabs hold of her as a smaller wave hits them.

Three men then rush in to help them out of the surf.

The video concludes with the rescuer sitting on the beach, catching his breath and spitting blood from a bleeding lip onto the sand.

Local media identified the young saviour as Lin Jiatai.

City officials also recognised Lin's selfless act and awarded him CNY 20,000 (GBP 2,238) during a ceremony held on February 1.

A witness named Ms Guo said: 'The girl was squatting on the beach playing with sand and was washed into the sea by a big wave. The girl's mother ran in but didn't catch her.

'The young man in white first pulled the girl's mother out, and then looked for an opportunity to save her. It was really breathtaking.'

Lin humbly told local media: 'I don't deserve the credit. As long as the child is okay, I'm glad.'

(1 CNY = 0.11 GBP)