A dog was plucked to safety from a city canal by a group of quick-thinking – and acrobatic – students.

The dog Sumak had slipped its owner’s lead and was struggling in the water.

Jack Spencer Furmston and Ben Camphor – both aged 20 – were passing the Ancoats Canal in Manchester.

People had gathered around the dog’s distressed owner.

Ben said he chose to go down the wall because he was the tallest.

They held onto his legs and lowered him upside down towards the icy water.

Sumak – sensing rescue was on the way – allowed Ben to grab his collar and haul him up by his front legs.

Meanwhile, the group lifted Ben back up the wall.

Sumak scrambled over the wall top to loud cheering and clapping.

Dog rescued Ancoats pic.twitter.com/WxJ9nNmzaZ

— Daibhidh (@Dbelldb1) February 13, 2023

The dramatic rescue was captured by Dabhidh MchicEamailinn who posted it on Twitter.

The clip went viral, and the rescue team have been called heroes.

He said: “Everyone was panicking.

“I couldn’t let that dog down and not help.”