The pair had a narrow escape after the car they were sitting in tumbled over a cliff and almost into the ocean on Monday night when the driver mistakenly put the car into drive rather than reverse. 

The 17-year-old driver and his female passenger, 16, were leaving Second Head Lookout, on North Street at the eastern end of Forster’s Main Beach, about 9.30pm.

But instead of pulling away from the edge, their vehicle crashed through a barrier and sailed over it, coming to rest metres from the lapping sea. Police said the car fell about 20 metres down a cliff face, hitting rocks before a large boulder stopped the RAV4 rolling into the ocean. 

Onlookers in a second vehicle raised the alarm, with paramedics and Manning Great Lakes police climbing down to help the pair.

Both had climbed from the wreckage unassisted. 

They were examined at the scene before they were taken to hospital as a precaution. 

Police have been told they suffered possible concussion along with minor cuts and bruises but no major injuries. 

The teenagers later told police the P-plate driver had attempted to put the vehicle in reverse but instead accidentally changed into drive, a NSW Police spokeswoman told AAP on Tuesday. 

The driver underwent mandatory blood and urine testing following the incident. Fire and Rescue NSW assisted at the scene, with work to salvage the vehicle continuing throughout Tuesday morning. 

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.