This is the heart-stopping moment a father loses his footing and falls as he races after his young son who runs into the road and is nearly hit by a lorry.

CCTV footage shows the child suddenly breaking away and dashing into the path of a massive truck as it barrels down a busy highway in Redencao, Para, Brazil.

The dad turns and sprints after him, but stumbles and crashes to the ground before he can reach his son.

The young boy narrowly avoided being struck, missing the massive vehicle by just inches.

Moments later, the panicked parent scrambles to his feet, rushes to the child, and pulls him safely back onto the kerb on August 14.

Authorities urged parents and guardians to take extra care when children are near roads with heavy traffic.