This is the dramatic moment a family was rescued alive after the driver 'deliberately' plunged their Tesla 300 feet down a cliff in California.

Firefighters used helicopters to reach the vehicle that fell down the 'Devil's Slide' in San Mateo County on Monday.

Motorists called 911 after seeing the Tesla veer off the highway and crash into a rocky beach below.

Officials said the damage to the mangled car indicated that it flipped over several times on the craggy rocks before landing on its wheels.

Rescuers rappeled down the cliff and, while sifting through the wreckage, found the passengers miraculously conscious and moving inside the crumpled sedan.

Dharmesh Arvind Patel, 41, his wife, 41, and their two children aged seven and four were extracted from the car using ropes and transported to the Stanford Medical Centre to recover.

The car's upright position had made rescue efforts easier, authorities said.

Brian Pottenger, battalion chief of the Coastside Fire Protection District, said: 'Accidents on that cliff are not rare. We do respond to a lot of vehicles on that cliff.

'It is very unusual for anyone to survive an accident of this magnitude in this area.'

Following investigations, the California Highway Patrol said it will charge Dharmesh with several counts of attempted murder and child abuse once he is discharged.

In a statement, the agency said: 'Based on the evidence collected, investigators developed probable cause to believe this incident was an intentional act.

'The driver of the Tesla, Dharmesh A. Patel, of Pasadena, California, has been placed under arrest for attempted murder and child abuse. There has been no determination as to what driving mode the Tesla was in; however, that does not appear to be a contributing factor in this incident.

'Mr. Patel is being treated for his injuries and will be booked into San Mateo County Jail upon his release from the hospital. This remains an ongoing investigation and no further information is being released at this time.'