An enormous endangered whale last night washed up on Carlyon Bay in St Austell.
Hundreds of people flocked to the Cornish beach as a 30-40ft Fin whale - also known as a Razorback - lay alive but stranded on the shoreline.
Click here to see a gallery of pictures of the stranded Fin whale.
Coastguards cordoned off the area and trained vets from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue were assessed the whale which had injuries to the underside of the creature as well as the two lesions that are visible on the top side.
Matt Pavitt, Coastguard Sector Manager said "The fact that the whale, normally associated with deep waters, has washed up this close to the shore line indicates that it is sick."
A vet working at the scene confirmed that the sea mammal had lost a huge amount of weight and that they would euthanize the animal after it has been stabilised due to the severity of its injuries and diseased condition.
Reports this morning indicate that the whale died of natural causes overnight before intervention was necessary.
The road leading towards the beach was gridlocked as people thronged to the area to catch a glimpse of the massive creature.
Phil Ford, on holiday in Cornwall said: "It is a shame to see such a magnificent animal washed up and helpless on the beach. However terrible, it was still a compelling sight, drawing crowds to view this startling scene."
The whale carcass is thought to be being moved to Fowey today.
