The rescue was described as almost miraculous. A family of four whose Tesla had careened off a treacherous cliff-top road in Northern California, plummeted more than 250 feet and trapped them on Monday managed to survive and avoid life-threatening injuries.

But now, the authorities say the car’s dramatic drop wasn’t an accident, but an “intentional act”, and that the father could face charges.

Dharmesh A. Patel, 41, of Pasadena, California, was arrested late on Monday on suspicion of attempted murder and child abuse, the California Highway Patrol, Golden Gate Division said on Tuesday afternoon. He will be transported to San Mateo County Jail after being released from the hospital, the authorities said. The San Mateo County district attorney said that it had not received the case from the Highway Patrol to determine whether Patel should be charged.

The investigation into the crash involved numerous emergency responders and officers and required the use of a helicopter to extract the family from their mangled white Tesla.

Just before 11am (local time) on Monday, officers were called to help with the rescue, which was on a scenic stretch of Highway 1, about 20 miles southwest of San Francisco.