A surveillance camera in northern China captures a terrifying accident followed by a lucky rescue.
Seconds after the teenage girl falls a passing cab driver runs to her rescue.
After calling out to the girl he gets no response, climbs into the six-metre deep pit and finds her unconscious.
(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CAB DRIVER WANG WEI SAYING:
"I called out to her but she didn't respond. After I shook her a little, she came to."
The ground in the pit continued to shift while the cab driver and girl were still in it, making it impossible for them to climb out.
As a crowd gathered, firefighters lowered a ladder into the pit.
Finally, the girl is pulled to safety.
(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) (PARTIALLY OVERLAID BY SHOT 9) CAB DRIVER WANG WEI SAYING:
"The ladder kept moving about, it was a little flimsy and the girl kept screaming out of fear. So I told her to go first and I'll be right behind her. Finally we managed to get out."
State television which aired the footage said the accident was caused because underground water had eroded the ground and caused a cavity under the pavement.
Nick Rowlands, Reuters.
