A terrifying video has emerged from Portugal of British surfer Andrew Cotton crashing in giant waves and the failed attempt to rescue him.

A professional British surfer had a narrow escape from a huge wave in Nazare, Portugal.

Andrew Cotton crashed while riding the wall of water and a video footage shows the aftermath with an attempted rescue by his Portuguese team partner, Hugo Vau, also a professional big wave surfer.

Cotton is smashed by a second wave once he surfaces, and when Vau rides in on a jet ski they are both upset by another swell.

NEWSFLARE Surfer battles impressive wave in Portugal.

But even without the jet ski, they were able to reach the safety zone of the beach minutes after this incident, swimming in the rough waters of Praia do Norte. No serious injuries were reported.

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