Skydiving collie falls 165ft from a clifftop and lives to bark again

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

But his latest trick was his most impressive ... surviving a 165ft fall over a cliff edge with just a dislocated paw.

Scroll down for more ...

Ben the miraculous Border Collie who survived a horrific fall off the edge of a cliff with minor injuries

A step too far: The border collie fell backwards from this 165ft cliff

Plummeting backwards at 70mph, with the wind whistling past his floppy black ears, Ben managed to miss a large pile of boulders, and land on the relative safety of the shingle beach.

Moments later, as his horrified owner Kay Clarke scrambled down to him, he was already struggling to sit up.

Mrs Clarke, who had been walking Ben with her other collie, Murphy, said his only visible injury was a very tender right front paw.

"I was just in shock, I couldn't take it in," she said.

"I had been walking along the coastal path with the dogs and Ben was very excited as I had a ball in my hand. He is such an acrobat, he is always rushing ahead waiting for a ball to be thrown.

"He was quite near the top of the cliff and I could tell he was eagerly anticipating that I was going to throw it.

"He began edging backwards and then suddenly he was gone. He had just disappeared over the edge."

As passers-by dashed to a cafe to alert the coastguard, she held the three-year-old dog.

"I stayed with Ben but I could tell he was deteriorating - he looked sleepy and was lying down again."

Within minutes the coastguard and a local vet, Jon Diamond, arrived on the scene at Burton Bradstock, near Bridport in Dorset.

They carried Ben more than a quarter of a mile to the vet's car for treatment. Mr Diamond was stunned to find the dog had only dislocated his wrist, adding: "It is just amazing. He was probably travelling at a speed of 70mph."

Ben was given a splint and painkillers and was sent home the next day.

Mrs Clarke, of Bridport, said: "Ben is feeling very sorry for himself but he should be back on his feet in no time.

"I will never let him off the lead again when we are on a cliff, that's for sure."