WATCH: Scary footage shows helicopter rescue truck driver trapped in floodwater

Hair-raising video footage shows how a man was rescued from floodwaters by a helicopter, after his truck was swept off the road.

The scary incident occurred at the Galana-Kulalu causeway in Kenya on Wednesday, 3 May 2023.

Rapid floodwater surrounds truck

The man was driving the tanker across the Galana-Kulalu causeway when the river suddenly flooded and surrounded it.

“Flooding is a constant threat during the rainy season, and it is often impossible to predict when or how quickly water levels will rise,” said the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, which sent its helicopter to rescue the driver.

Watch: Truck driver rescued from flooded river

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust said the flood was so sudden and extreme that it quickly surrounded the tanker and trapped the driver inside. The water then pushed the vehicle on its side, smashing the window and flowing into the tanker’s cabin.

“The man clung to the top, but it was only a matter of time before the river engulfed the entire vehicle,” it said.

“Onlookers watched helplessly from the shore, horrified but unable to intervene, as the current made any sort of crossing impossible.”

ALSO READ: 115 dead as flooding hits Rwanda

Dangerous rescue mission

The video shows the helicopter hovering six inches above the raging water as the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s Roan Carr-Hartley extends his arm to help pull the driver off the truck. Roan’s brother, Tarr, was flying the helicopter.

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust said the gusting winds and swirling water meant flying the helicopter was “very challenging”.

“Danger lurked below, between the raging river and a tanker full of petrol.”

It was around 4:30pm when the rescue mission was launched. The driver had been trapped since 10am.

“We can only imagine what was racing through his mind as the water continued to rise around him. Within minutes of the helicopter’s arrival, however, he was back on firm ground.”

According to a report by New York Times, the driver, whose name is James Rufus, said he thought he would die. He even called his family and friends to say his final goodbyes.

ALSO READ: How floods hurt Joburg: Cars swept away and homes submerged