A BELUGA whale saved a drowning diver by hoisting her to the surface, carrying her leg in its mouth.

Yang Yun had been taking part in a free diving contest without any breathing equipment in Harbin, northeast China, The Sun reported, but the 26-year-old's legs were paralysed by crippling cramps in arctic temperatures.

She said: "I began to choke and sank even lower and I thought that was it for me - I was dead. Until I felt this incredible force under me driving me to the surface."

Beluga whale Mila had spotted her difficulties and using her sensitive dolphin-like nose guided Yun safely to the surface.

An organiser said: "Mila noticed the problem before we did. We suddenly saw the girl being pushed to the top of the pool with her leg in Mila's mouth."