Huge 16-metre fin whale washes up on UK beach as locals issued 'stay away' warning
Locals in Newquay have been warned to "stay away" after a huge 16-metre whale washed up on Fistral Beach.
People have been urged to stay away after a giant 16-metre whale washed up on a UK beach.
The dead fin whale appeared on Fistral Beach in Newquay at about 7am this morning and is said to have already attracted a lot of public attention.
Cornwall Wildlife trust are currently on the scene along with Devon and Cornwall Police who have cordoned off the area to prevent people and dogs from reaching the potentially dangerous sea creature.
One witness on the beach said: "There's a dead whale washed up on Fistral Beach. Two police cars and Search and rescue. Lot of public attention. One lady said it was the busiest she'd ever seen it of a morning walk."
Officials say the whale could be a biohazard but they are still working to establish whether it is harmful.
Some locals have already said they believe they saw the whale alive and swimming off the coast of Newquay yesterday.
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Rachel Atkins, a woman who has been holidaying at the Esplanade Hotel overlooking the beach since Monday, said she saw people in high-vis jackets on the beach while having breakfast with her four-year-old daughter.
She says that when the family left the hotel they noticed the jumbo whale washed up on the sand.
Ms Atkins said: "I saw a police car and van there. When we walked down to the beach we realised it was a dead whale washed up. There were a lot of people crowding around and a cordon was in place so people wouldn't get too close.
"The police extended the cordon so we walked up to the path above the dunes. It was still really busy. One lady said to me it's the busiest she'd ever seen the footpath at that time in the morning.
"It's a massive animal. It's really imposing to see. It reminds you of the vastness of the ocean. It's really sad to see."
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Police are telling the public to avoid the area if possible.
A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "A number of emergency services and partner agencies are currently on Fistral Beach following a report of a dead whale having been located.
"Members of the public are asked to avoid the area at this time."
The fin whale is the second longest whale on the planet after the blue whale and can measure up to 20m (60ft) in length and weigh up to 48 tonnes.
