By DAVID OLASEINDE

Published: 23:38 GMT, 31 December 2025 | Updated: 01:57 GMT, 1 January 2026

Four men clung onto a stranded boat on the edge of 130ft dam in a heart-stopping moment.

The footage shows four men desperately holding onto the ski-boat high above the dam spill way, as the onrushing water surges beneath. 

The terrifying incident took place on the Vaal River in Standerton, a town in the South African province of Mpumalanga on Monday.

Rescue services launched a multi-agency operation as 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.

The men were there for a number of hours and the sun had fully set by the time they had returned.

Some held on with both hands while others held the turbulent boat with just a single hand.

The operation was launched at 7.15pm as the men remained stranded above the drop in the water. 

However, rescuers were initially unable to reach them due to the ferocity of the water.

Four men desperately holding onto the ski-boat high above the dam spill way

The incident took place on the Vaal River in Standerton, a town in the South African province of Mpumalanga on Monday

Rescue services launched a multi-agency operation at 7.15pm as the men remained stranded. At around 9.40pm, three sluice gates were opened to divert water and help stabilise the situation

Boats were launched several miles upstream as crews carefully planned their approach.

As night fell, officials opted to alter the water flow to prevent the boat from being swept over the edge.

At around 9.40pm, three sluice gates were opened to divert water and help stabilise the situation.

The rescue craft pulled the men clear of the edge and away from the water and rescuers later said the ski boat appeared to have suffered a mechanical failure before drifting to the edge of the 130ft drop.

Once out of harms way, the men were brought aboard the rescue boat and taken to shore, before being medically assessed by paramedics and found to be uninjured, reports the Sun.