A MASSIVE whale that beached itself in Cornwall will have to be destroyed, according to police.
A member of the public contacted Brixham Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre just before 4.45pm today to report that a 45-foot long whale had beached itself on Carlyon Beach near St Austell.
The whale, which is believed to be a Fin Whale was reported to be alive and thrashing about in the shallow water.
Brixham Coastguard alerted British Divers Marine Life Rescue and two vets from this volunteer group are now on the scene. St Austell Coastguard Rescue Team and Devon and Cornwall Police are also at the beach to help the marine rescue team and make sure the public do not cause the whale further distress.
Police Inspector Dave Meredith said the animal was too sick to survive and would sadly have to be humanely destroyed.
A member of the public contacted Brixham Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre just before 4.45pm today to report that a 45-foot long whale had beached itself on Carlyon Beach near St Austell.
The whale, which is believed to be a Fin Whale was reported to be alive and thrashing about in the shallow water.
Brixham Coastguard alerted British Divers Marine Life Rescue and two vets from this volunteer group are now on the scene. St Austell Coastguard Rescue Team and Devon and Cornwall Police are also at the beach to help the marine rescue team and make sure the public do not cause the whale further distress.
Police Inspector Dave Meredith said the animal was too sick to survive and would sadly have to be humanely destroyed.
