A DOG'S owners have been left “distraught” after their pet died when it fell from cliffs in Dunbar.

Coastguard and lifeboat volunteers were called to the cliffs beside Winterfield Park at 4pm yesterday (Monday).

Although the crews from Dunbar and North Berwick were able to locate the Labrador, he had not survived the 80-foot fall from the cliffs.

The crews recovered the pet and brought him to his owners.

Adrian Lavery, in-shore lifeboat helm, told the Courier: “This was a very unfortunate accident and our condolences go to the dog’s owners, who were understandably distraught.”

Later that day, the volunteer crew had dispersed following a monthly meeting when they were paged again at 8.30pm.

They were told that local trawler Spitfire was taking on water and sinking in Dunbar Harbour.

It was believed that a creel was accidentally pulled up with its catch, causing damage to the wooden hull.

The inshore lifeboat again launched and came alongside with a salvage pump, which the crew used to stop the Spitfire sinking and enable the 10m vessel’s own pumps to stabilise the boat.

The crew then remained on standby until high water, when the trawler could be moved to a safe berth in the harbour, and finally stood down shortly after midnight.

Alan Blair, inshore lifeboat helm, said: “Luckily, we had a salvage pump in the lifeboat station and were able to start pumping the water within minutes.”