This is the heroic moment a brave woman jumped into a deep canal to save another woman from drowning when she accidentally fell into the water.

Footage shows the final moments of the incredible rescue taking place in Huzhou, in eastern China's Zhejiang Province, on September 15.

The unnamed woman reportedly lost her balance when she stopped by the canalside to pose for a photo but plunged into the dirty water.

Bystanders quickly threw a lifebuoy from the banks but the woman in the water was in a state of panic and could not pull herself out.

She was carried farther away by the current, with only half her head and hands above the water surface.

In that moment, another woman who stood by the shore, named as Ms. Wang in local media, apparently saw the woman might drown if someone does not help her out.

In the video, Ms Wang, who is seen wearing a long, black dress, braces herself before jumping in.

She helps the struggling tourist stay afloat as police officers rush to the scene and toss them more lifebuoys. Officers then grabbed a long wooden pole attached to a fishing net and reached out towards them. The woman grabbed onto the pole and officers manage to pull her to safety while Ms. Wang swam back.

Later, it was revealed that Wang is also a law enforcement employee.

She told local media: 'At the time, I didn't think much, I just wanted to jump in and save her quickly.'