Dog's 'sixth sense saved' friends from Newquay landslide

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Great Western Beach road landslideImage source, Insp Dave Meredith
Image caption,

About 100 tonnes of debris has fallen on to the road leading to the Great Western Beach in Newquay

Two friends who were a few feet away from a landslide say their pet dog's "sixth sense" saved their lives.

Amy Jones and Matt Smith were sitting above Great Western Beach in Newquay when their collie "sensed" danger and ran off, with the friends following.

Seconds later about 100 tonnes of debris fell from the cliff on to the access road.

No-one was injured, but the area has been sealed off and there is no access to the beach.

Ms Jones said: "She [Hazel the dog] was sniffing around the ground and then suddenly bolted off.

"Next there was a sound from the railings and they were wobbling, and then the ground collapsed and we ran and called the police."

Image caption,

Hazel 'sensed' danger seconds before the landslide, her own says

Image caption,

No-one has been injured and no properties damaged in the landslide said Devon and Cornwall Police

Mr Smith added: "If it wasn't for her we would have been left leaning against the railings.

"She definitely knew something was happening."

A Cornwall Council engineer said more than 100 tonnes of material had collapsed, probably as a result of the cold and wet weather.

The engineer said it would be a significant time before the road would reopen.

Image caption,

Amy Jones and Matt Smith were sitting above Great Western Beach when the landslide happened

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