Cops in America have seized a dad and husband who they believe purposely drove his Tesla off a cliff with his family inside in a failed bid to kill them all.

Police in California arrested Dharmesh Arvid Patel for attempted murder and child abuse following the 250-foot plunge on 2nd January.

Brian Pottenge of the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection said the damage sustained by the car suggested it had “flipped several times before landing on its wheels”.

Remarkably, Patel, his wife, and their two kids survived the steep drop from State Route 1, which runs along the California coast, landing just feet from the water’s edge.

Rescuers prized the family members from the vehicle – seen completely wrecked in this aerial footage – and they were taken to nearby hospitals.

The California Highway Patrol revealed in a statement that evidence gathered suggested the act was premeditated.

It said: “Investigators developed probable cause to believe this incident was an intentional act.”

Pottenge revealed that the children – aged four and nine – sustained only “moderate injuries” and that their parents, both aged 41, were also in stable conditions.

He also said he and his team were “very shocked” that all four family members survived the plunge.

At the time of reporting, Patel – from Pasadena – was awaiting charges of attempted murder and child abuse.