Elderly man escapes death in Kunming river -- thanks to passers-by who form human ladder

In a video posted by CCTV, an elderly man fell into the river and was seen floating on the surface, unconscious in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan province on Wednesday, Nov 16. 

Members of the public first tried to help him out with an umbrella, which failed. 

One of them then lowered himself towards the water while being held onto by the others, forming an impressive human chain, and he successfully grabbed onto the elderly man's foot. 

With the help of many passers-by, the elderly man earned himself a second chance in life.