'The current was so strong, it just took him away': Dramatic moment schoolboy clings to tree during flood rescue

Teenager saved in dramatic flood rescueby ITN News

This is the dramatic moment a schoolboy was rescued from torrents of floodwater in Australia - after clinging onto a tree for dear life moments before.

The 14-year-old was plucked from a fast-moving swollen creek in Rockhampton, Queensland, where dozens have been left stranded due to a tropical cyclone.

Video footage of his rescue shows emergency workers bringing him to dry land, before one rescuer is swept underwater by the vicious current.

The worker was swept under a nearby bridge, but emerged safe seconds later.

The teenager was taken to hospital, where he was reported as being in a stable condition on Friday.

Brett Williams from the Swift Water Rescue team, said: "The current was so strong, it just took him away."

The dramatic scenes took place as nearly a foot of rain fell in Yeppoon, north of Rockhampton, since Thursday, according to AFP.

There have since been 20 water rescues across Queensland state, including a woman and two children trapped in a car.

Australian media reported that 'huge rainfall totals' are anticipated this weekend as tropical cyclone Oswald heads south.