Lucky dog survives 100ft Sussex cliff fall unharmed
Newhaven coastguards have reunited Max the Border Collie with his owner
A lucky dog is back home after falling over 100 feet from cliffs in Sussex - and emerging with barely a scratch.
Newahven's RNLI lifeboat team were called to help Max the Border Collie after he went over the cliff edge at Seaford yesterday morning (January 19th).
The all-weather Lifeboat (ALB), David and Elizabeth Acland, and her volunteer crew launched at 11.43am and made way to the location of the Border Collie, reported to be in the water below Hawks Brow.
A Newhaven Coastguard Search and Rescue Team were on the beach at Splash Point, but were unable to reach Max due to the high tide separating them from his position.
Three volunteer crew boarded the Y-class Lifeboat and headed to the base of the cliff, east of Splash Point, where the dog had swum in and appeared to be moving well on a small stretch of beach, visible with the receding tide.
James Johnson, Volunteer Navigator, said:
"Given the dog had fallen over 100 feet to the beach, it was astonishing to see him apparently unharmed.
"Max was incredibly lucky and we were relieved to return him to his owner."
Lewis Arnold, Coxswain, said:
"The dog owner did the right thing. Getting yourself back to a place of safety and calling the Coastguard to get help is always preferable than trying to go after your pet yourself.
"Please remember to keep your dog on a lead close to cliff edges or fast flowing rivers, you never know when they’ll suddenly decide to make chase after a rabbit or bird."