Man and his dog struggle to climb out of frozen lake after falling through ice

The pair fell through the ice of a frozen Russian lake. Photo / Supplied via Live Leak

This is the excruciating moment a man miraculously survived after hauling himself and his dog out of a frozen lake after they fell through the ice.

A camera filmed the epic journey of the pair as they initially climbed out of the hole only to fall in again shortly after and then drag themselves across the solid surface to the bank.

The man and his black dog had perhaps attempted to cross over the frozen lake in Moscow Oblast, Russia, underestimating the thickness of the ice.

Footage filmed from what seems to be a balcony next to the lake records their desperate attempts to get to safety.

The dog and man flounder around in the freezing water as they attempt to hold onto the ice to pull themselves out.

The man manages to heave his torso onto the solid surface only for it to crack once again beneath him.

Back to square one he succeeds in getting his whole body out of the water.

Lying down he tries to get the dog but he ends up crashing through the ice once again.

But he then decides to turn his attention to the dog and pushes it as its scrambles upwards. After several attempts the pooch finally gets out.

Fortunately the man eventually manages follow suit and hauls his body flat onto the surface, clutching on to the dog's lead. The canine meanwhile shakes itself fiercely, trying to get dry, and no doubt warm itself up.

Then begins their painfully slow journey across the ice.

The man and his dog had perhaps attempted to cross over the frozen lake, underestimating the thickness of the ice. Photo / Supplied via Live Leak

The man, holding onto his pet's lead throughout, crawls across the surface with painstaking carefulness, avoiding falling in again with all his might.

At one point the person filming focuses on a man standing on the far bank who is simply watching the pair's progress and doing nothing to help.

Many online commentators have criticised both him and the filmer for their inaction

As the sodden duo get closer to the bank the ice thins and they splash once again into the water. But mercifully it seems the man is able to stand on the bottom of the lake at this point and can wade towards the edge of the lake.

Undoubtedly with intense relief he reaches dry land and stops for a few rests before ploughing on upwards towards the road.

Hopefully he managed to find some dry clothes and thaw out sooner rather than later.

- Daily Mail