THIS is the terrifying moment four men clung to a stranded boat as it hung on the edge of a 130 ft drop.
Dramatic footage shows the men gripping onto the ski-boat high above the dam spill way, as foaming water surges beneath.
The incredible incident took place on the Vaal River in Standerton, a town in the South African province of Mpumalanga on Monday.
Witnesses said the boat drifted towards the dam wall and became trapped at the spill way with the men clinging on to stop it being swept over the edge.
Rescue services launched a multi-agency operation at 7.15pm as the men remained stranded above the drop in fast-flowing water.
But they were initially unable to reach them because of the strength of the white water.
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Boats were launched several miles upstream as crews carefully calculated their approach.
As night fell, officials decided to alter the water flow in an effort to prevent the boat from going over the edge.
At around 9.40pm three sluice gates were opened to divert water and stabilise the situation.
Evacuation efforts were made to clear campers in the area because of the risk of flooding.
Footage then shows crews throwing a line with a rescue buoy towards the men, who are all wearing life jackets.
Rescuers instructed all four men to secure themselves to the line at the same time.
The force of the water meant they had only one chance.
The rescue craft then reversed, pulling the men clear of the edge and away from the roaring white water.
Rescuers later said the ski-boat appeared to have suffered a mechanical failure before drifting into danger.
Once safely away from the dam wall, the men were brought aboard the rescue boat and taken to shore.
They were medically assessed by paramedics and found to be uninjured.
National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) duty crew members, Travis Clack, Francois du Randt and Jacqueline Enslin, were involved in the rescue mission.
