Snowboarder survives avalanche

A mountain rescue volunteer nearly needed the services of his own crew when he survived an avalanche while snowboarding in the Retezat Mountains in Romania.

Sorin Radu was swept down the face of Varfu Papusa, a mountain in Gorj County, after triggering a spectacular cascade of snow.

In footage captured on a GoPro attached to Radu's helmet, he surveys a beautiful panorama of the peaks and valleys below him as he sets off down the slope.

However, the scenic view quickly turns to a frightening nightmare when a massive crack appears in the snow.

The mountainside suddenly breaks apart underneath Radu's board, the flood of snow swallowing him as it races towards the valley floor.

Out of control in the rolling powder, Radu is spun over and over again before the terrifying ride finally comes to a halt.

Despite the wild ride, Radu emerges from the mass of broken snow unscathed and unharmed.