A dramatic video shows a crew rescuing a man who was clinging to a tree in a rain-swollen river.

KTLA reported that Los Angeles Fire Department responders arrived within minutes of the call about a man who was spotted hanging onto a tree in the river.

“When firefighters got on scene they did in fact have a 50-year-old male that was mid-stream, clinging to a tree, and that was in need of an immediate rescue,” Capt. Erik Scott said.

Scott said responders were deployed upstream and downstream, but it was ultimately decided that the man should be rescued by a helicopter.

The rescuer who was lowered down had trouble reaching the man and kept spinning in circles as he struggled.

The rescuer was eventually able to reach the man and the two were hoisted up into the helicopter.

LAFD officials said the patient was suffering from hypothermia, but was conscious and alert. He was treated and transported to the hospital in fair condition.

Source: EMS1.com, KTLA