A two-year-old girl who fell down a five-metre deep hole in Brazil was rescued by a firefighter who was lowered in with rope tied around his ankles.
In the clip, filmed in Sao Sebastiao, the rescuer plunges into the earth head-first with no safety gear before emerging seconds later with the girl to a round of applause.
The toddler, named locally as Estela Martins, was left covered in dirt from head to toe after her ordeal but suffered only minor scratches.
She fell down the gap while walking with her father on Sunday afternoon on land which has been set aside for housing development.
The firefighter was lowered into the ground with rope tied around his ankles after a toddler fell into a five-metre deep hole
Sergeant Cosme was chosen to go into the hole, which was a little under 50cm wide, because he was slim enough to fit
She was trapped at the bottom of the hole for around 15 minutes, but rescuers took just 20 seconds to free her.
Due to the width of the hole, which was a little under 50cm wide, the slimmest firefighter in the crew was chosen to take on the task.
Major Gildomar Alves said: ‘Sergeant Cosme was picked because he weighs 66kilos (10.5 st) and was slim enough to go down into the gap to grab hold of the child and lift her up to safety without both of them getting stuck.’
Dressed in his uniform tee-shirt and trousers the clip shows him plunging headlong into the tiny space with a flashlight strapped to his head and ropes binding his legs together.
As he is lowered into the darkness, those on the surface call for silence so they can listen out for his instructions on when he is ready to be pulled back up.
Dressed in his uniform tee-shirt and trousers the clip shows him plunging headlong into the tiny space with a flashlight strapped to his head and ropes binding his legs together
One rescuer shouted as he went down: ‘Tell the child to close her eyes so the sand doesn’t get in them.’ He goes on to reassure the tot that her relatives are waiting for her.
Seconds later, Sgt Cosme gives the signal and several men put all their energy into hoisting him out.
The toddler was taken to hospital suffering from scratches and bruises but has no major injuries and has shown no adverse effects from her ordeal, doctors said.
The narrow pit was dug by builders to help identify the depth and shape of the foundation for a house.
The area where the pair were walking is apparently littered with over 20 similar holes, none of which are covered or have any warning signs.
The fire service has launched an investigation into the hazardous areas on the site and alerted health and safety inspectors to possible breaches in construction regulations.
She was trapped at the bottom of the hole for around 15 minutes, but rescuers took just 20 seconds to free her. After being pulled out of the hole she was covered from head to toe in dirt
The narrow pit was dug by builders to help identify the depth and shape of the foundation for a house. The area where the girl was walking is apparently littered with over 20 similar holes, none of which are covered or have any warning signs