This is the shocking moment a houseboat breaks free and is swept off down a rain-swollen river before sinking almost immediately after colliding with a ferry terminal – forcing an elderly man to swim for his life.

The footage was captured by CCTV camera which recorded the moment the houseboat was swept away by the currents in the Brisbane River and collided with the Holman Street Ferry Terminal at Kangaroo point in Queensland, in Australia.

Almost immediately after colliding, the boat is pushed under the water and vanishes in a matter of seconds as man, in his 70s, leaps for his life.

In a statement obtained from local cops by Newsflash, they said that the incident was a reminder of “just how dangerous and dynamic conditions are along southeast Queensland’s rivers during the region’s ongoing weather event”.

The police statement added: “The houseboat was observed and tracked by police drifting towards the Holman Street Ferry Terminal at Kangaroo Point before colliding with the structure before 9 am.

Police tracked the man in the fast-moving water for approximately 500m before reaching the ferry terminal at Howard Smith Wharves.

Water and onshore police observed members of the public being able to pull the man from the water and onto the terminal.

The man in his 70’s was assessed by paramedics but luckily sustained no significant injuries. However, the boat was destroyed in the collision.

Police continue to urge boat owners along many of southeast Queensland’s rivers to remain vigilant as increasing debris and large objects flow downstream.”