A heroic shop owner dives in front of a runaway three-wheeler to rescue a two-year-old girl dangling off the side.

The CCTV video, captured in Kaifeng City in central China's Henan Province on May 19, shows a three-wheeler with a small girl hanging off the handlebars, speeding towards a wall.

The man named Yuan Xuhao runs to the vehicle and tries to use his body to stop it.

According to reports, the girl's parents had gone to buy some things and left her alone with the vehicle.

The key had been left in the ignition and the girl started it by grabbing the handlebar.

Yuan saw the three-wheeler spring into action as he repaired a car in front of his shop. He heard the commotion of others shouting, "there's a little girl on it!" He then rushed to her rescue.

Yuan suffered several scratches and his two front teeth came loose.