This impressive footage shows animal rescuers saving an injured cat that was found clinging to a lightning rod at the edge of a bridge.

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The dramatic rescue reportedly took place on the Vasco da Gama Bridge, in Portugal’s capital city of Lisbon.

Crews from the Portuguese animal rights organisation IRA (Intervention and Animal Rescue) managed the successful rescue on 27th March – supported by a fishing boat, an ambulance and a mobile scaffold.

Phone footage shows the IRA rushing to the bridge where they found the frightened Siamese puss hanging over a 500-foot drop above the river.

As the ambulance arrived, rescuers prepared for a risky and delicate mission as they lowered a platform next to the rod with a firefighter ready to grab the cat.

Another rescuer held a net under the animal in case it jumped or accidentally fell off.

The IRA said in a statement obtained by Newsflash: “We received a report about an animal on a rod of the highest deck of the PVG, running the risk of falling into the river or putting itself on the road, causing an accident.

“We requested the help of the animal rescue ambulance and a private vessel that was passing by at that time.

“The vessel was informed of the situation and was stationed underneath so if the animal fell into the river, it could immediately be collected from the water.”

Thankfully, the firefighter was able to catch the cat with a single swoop.

The cat was then taken to a veterinarian hospital with serious injuries, damaged teeth and difficulty breathing.

Rescuers do not know how it got on the bridge in the first place, but suspect it got hit by a vehicle beforehand.

It is not yet known if the Siamese has an owner, and it will remain in the IRA’s care even if it does.

The IRA said: “Our legal department will check the CCTV images to see if the animal was left there on purpose or if it fell out of an engine of a moving car.

“Being as docile as it appears to be, it seems familiar with human contact.”

Further examinations are being carried out to check for internal bleeding or possible fractures, which may require surgery.

The IRA added: “Our thanks to the whistleblower, the bridge employees, the @bvcamarate [firefighters] and the owner of the vessel who supported us throughout the rescue operation.

“Without this union of efforts, it would not have been possible to save this animal alive.”