At around 6 p.m. on 13 August in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, a frightening scene took place by the Qiantang River at Wenyan Riverside Park in Xiaoshan.

Just before the tide came in, four people watching the tide — one adult and three children — ran out from a wooded area below the embankment. They tried to rush up the nearest steps back to the top of the embankment, but the tide was rising rapidly and the water level was already high.

When they were only a step away from the stairs, a wave crashed against the embankment and swept all four into the river, quickly scattering them. One adult man struggled desperately in the water, trying to save the others who had been swept away.

Fortunately, a thick tree branch was floating on the water directly in front of them. The four clung tightly to it, drifting for a while until the tide’s force gradually eased.

With help from people on the shore, they eventually made it back to the embankment, narrowly escaping danger.