FIVE men and two dogs were rescued after a large section of cliff collapsed onto a coast path on Saturday afternoon.

Newquay RNLI lifeboats brought the group to safety one by one from the Fly Cellars due to the large swell following the incident, which happened between the Fly Cellars and The Huer’s Hut shortly before 3pm.

The police helicopter, Newquay Coastguard Search and Rescue Team, the police and Cormac were also tasked to the incident. No one was injured.

Police used dogs and a drone to ascertain whether anyone was trapped underneath the mud and rock.

The section of coast path has been cordoned off as a safety precaution.

Kieron English, who was caught up in the cliff collapse, said: “There was myself and my mate on the Fly Cellars just below the path. There was another man there fishing and two other men chatting on the bench above the Fly Cellars.

“I was talking to my friend and then there was a noise. Then the cliff collapsed. The noise was like a squeal. I wasn't fearful for my life.

“We were stuck and luckily there were no injuries. We had to call Newquay RNLI to come and rescue us all.

“The D-Class lifeboat loaded us one at a time and transferred us over the Atlantic Lifeboat. I was the first to jump into the D-Class. They took us back to the lifeboat station.”

A spokesperson for Newquay RNLI said: “Newquay lifeboat volunteers were paged and tasked to evacuate five people and two dogs, who had become trapped following a large landslide just above the Fly Cellars, close to Newquay harbour.

“Both of the charity’s lifeboats were launched, with the crew of the D class heading immediately to the steps just off the Fly Cellars.

“Arriving on scene, the volunteer crew got close to the casualties to check that no one was injured and to assess the situation.

“Once the crew of the Atlantic arrived, the two crews formulated a plan to recover the casualties.

“A member of the crew from the Atlantic joined the D class crew and was put ashore to assist another crew member who had already been dropped off prior to the Atlantic arriving.

“Due to the timing of the tide and the location, there was a lot of swell rising and falling against the rocks, the decision had already been made that the helm of the D class would land the bow of the boat on a flat rock on a rise of the swell.

“This enabled each casualty to be assisted aboard the lifeboat one by one. The first two casualties were handed over to crew on the Atlantic who took them back to the safety of the harbour and then returned to the scene to continue with the rescue operation.

“After all five of the casualties were and two cherished pets, were taken back to the safety of the harbour, they were taken into the lifeboat station where they were offered a hot drink and a water bowl for the dogs, checked for any injuries and offered some advice from one of our trained paramedic crew members.”

Matt Robins, D class helm, added: “Although the sea conditions weren’t particularly rough, the scene where we had to evacuate the casualties from was proving difficult.

“Due to the swell rising and falling against the rocks, we had to communicate with the crew onshore and ask them to follow our precise instructions.

“One minor slip could have seen the casualties fall into the water.

“After the casualties left the station, all equipment was cleaned and made ready for service and a thorough debrief was carried out. All personnel were thanked by the launch authority for completing another successful rescue and left the station around 5.15pm.”

A spokesperson for Newquay Coastguard said: “This afternoon at 3.05pm Newquay Coastguard Rescue Team, Newquay RNLI Lifeboats, Devon and Cornwall Police, Cornwall Fire and Rescue, Cormac were tasked to a section of cliff that had collapsed onto the coast path between the Fly Cellars and The Huer’s Hut.

“This section of coast path is now impassable, and the public are requested to avoid the area for the time being.”

Resident Debbie Quinn said: “The cliff collapse has happened by the step going up from Fly Cellars to the coastal path.

“I’ve been waiting for it to go with all the rain we’ve had. All along there behind the Fly Cellars is waiting to go. It is such a shame.”

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Emergency services are currently at the scene of a significant cliff fall in Newquay.

“Police were called at 2.55pm today, 31 January, after part of the cliff collapsed in the King Edward Crescent area.

“HM Coastguard, the police helicopter and the fire service are also in attendance at the incident.

“Five people and two dogs were trapped at the top of the cliff and were rescued. They were not injured.

“The public footpath has been closed and a cordon is in place in the area.

“Members of the public are being asked to avoid the area for their own safety. Cornwall Council has been notified.”