A beached fin whale weighing 14 tonnes has tragically died despite a huge rescue effort on a UK beach.
The 44ft marine mammal, affectionately named Henry, was first reported to be stuck on the mudflats at the Dee Estuary near Greenfield on Friday, June 12.
Despite the Trojan efforts of locals, fishermen and the British Divers Marine Life Rescue, poor Henry lost its battle after being gradually crushed under its own weight over the last few days.
The charity described the rescue as an "exhausting effort", with a water pump being used throughout yesterday to help medics gather buckets of water to keep the animal's skin wet and prevent it from drying out.
Rescuers also placed sheets over the whale to try and make it more comfortable in the hopes it could be rescued at high tide, CheshireLive reports.
There had been hopes Henry could be saved after rescuers, aided by local cocklers and fishermen were able to successfully refloat the whale at around 2pm on Friday as the tide began to return to the estuary.
The whale was monitored as it made its way out of the Dee and towards the open sea.
An update from the British Divers Marine Rescue said: "The whale has now floated on the incoming tide and is beginning to swim for itself.
"Our team have managed to measure it more accurately at around 13.5m long, which is very close to the size that they are weaned and independent of their mother, so there may be some hope for this animal to survive by itself if it can find its way back out of the estuary. It is also in moderate body condition, which is helpful to its prognosis too.
"Our team will continue to monitor from land and from a safe distance by boat so as not to cause any stress to the animal."
But British Divers Marine Life Rescue reported that the whale had been found stranded again yesterday morning, in the same area.
This can indicate the whale is injured or ill but rescuers continued their efforts to help the mammal.
There was speculation on social media this morning that the whale was safe as it had been spotted swimming off again last night.
However rescuers explained it was more likely that the tide had refloated 'Henry' and that he no longer had the strength to swim.
The British Divers Marine Life Rescue said today in a statement that the whale had sadly died.
It read: "The fin whale restranded late last night on a sand bank near the Dee estuary mouth on the outgoing tide, but it was far too dangerous to send anyone out there to see if it was still alive.
"It has been found stranded once again this morning and a team from the Coastguard and a licensed drone pilot with permission to fly the area have been observing it from a distance.
"Sadly, though expected, there appear to be no signs of life left.
"Once again we would reiterate that members of the public must abide by Covid-19 guidelines against gathering in groups and in Wales there is a 5-mile travel limit still in force too.
"The area is extremely dangerous due to tides and quicksand and we would strongly urge that people must not enter the estuary in any kind of attempt to get near it and put themselves in unnecessary danger.
"Nobody has any need or reason to go near it now except for the authorities fromCyfoeth Naturiol Cymru / Natural Resources Wales who are now involved with retrieving the body.
"We are in contact with our colleagues at the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme - UK STrandings regarding the possibility of a post mortem examination that may be able to take place to help us all learn more about this animal.
"Once again we would like to extend our thanks to everyone who has been involved with this harrowing ordeal over the last couple of days, but also for the huge amounts of public support that the team have received from you all both in person and online."
