Sometimes a few seconds can mark the difference between life and death. But what if that moment is broadcast live on CNN?

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That's exactly what happened to Jerry Sumrall, who accidentally drove his truck into a ravine in Beaumont, Texas, before being rescued by CNN's Drew Griffin and the camera crew, on live TV.

"We've just literally rescued this guy," says a clearly shaken Griffin in the video.

A man just drove his truck into a ravine in Beaumont, Texas and CNN's @DrewGriffinCNN rescued him on live TV https://t.co/WT4qnHgFqd — CNN (@CNN) August 30, 2017

"There was no time to call 911, he was floating down this ravine, that's his truck right behind me," he added, showing the rope used to save the man's life.

Footage shows Griffin and the camera crew pulling the guy out of his truck as it washed away. It all happened in a matter of seconds.

The man, from Winnie, Texas, was in shock but unharmed.

He said: "I want to thank these guys for saving my life."

From the look of it, the man accidentally drove his truck in what he thought it was a road covered with water, running instead into 12 to 20 feet of floodwater.

to recap what just happened...@DrewGriffinCNN was seconds away form being our 1st reporter at 9a....(1) — John Berman (@JohnBerman) August 30, 2017

when his team saw a truck drive into the water streaming behind him. (2) — John Berman (@JohnBerman) August 30, 2017

so @DrewGriffinCNN and his team, ditched the liveshot, grabbed a rope, and pulled the man from his truck. — John Berman (@JohnBerman) August 30, 2017