Twice stranded whale in Cornwall found dead

The whale was pronounced dead on Friday morning

A whale that twice became stranded on a stretch of the north coast of Cornwall has died.

A rescue operation started on Thursday to save the 3.67m (12ft) long female pilot whale and it was refloated after it stranded on Gwithian beach, near St Ives.

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue said it was later spotted stranded on rocks near Lambeth Walk Beach, in St Ives, before it freed itself.

Dan Jarvis, from the charity, said they "gave her a chance" but unfortunately it was not successful and the whale was found dead during a search of the area on Friday morning.

The whale was first reported as stranded on Gwithian beach on Thursday

He said there was "nothing outwardly that suggested the animal was in a terrible state of health" but a post-mortem examination would take place.