Couple, dogs rescued from Melbourne river

An evening walk turned into a major rescue after a man and his partner and their two dogs all ended up in a river in Melbourne.

The couple, both 35, were walking in Heidelberg's Warringal Parklands when their dogs ran off.

The man chased after the dogs and fell down a steep drop next to the path. He rolled down the incline for nearly 30 metres, ending up in the river, holding on to a log. His partner called for help.

When firefighters arrived within five minutes, they found the couple and their two dogs in the river.

The woman and dogs were rescued using ropes.

However, the man, who had been injured, had to be assessed by a swift water team before being pulled to safety.