Whale-watching death: Female Canadian tourist killed after grey whale lands on sightseeing boat off Mexico

The 35-year-old victim was taken to hospital, where she later died

Grey whales can weigh up to 36 tonnes (Getty)

A 35-year-old Canadian woman died from injuries suffered when a surfacing grey whale crashed onto a tourist boat, Mexican authorities said Wednesday.

The Baja California Sur state prosecutor's office said the collision with the whale about a mile from the beach resort of Cabo San Lucas tossed the victim into the water.

Firefighter commander Juan Carvajal Figueroa said the woman was in a boat with other tourists returning to port around noon when the whale jumped from the water and landed on the boat.

Mexican navy personnel responded to the scene and moved the woman to shore. She was taken to a clinic, where she died during treatment.

Authorities did not release her full identity or hometown.

The death came on the same day that Mexican authorities announced a particularly high number of grey whales had gathered in the area during this year’s season, which runs from mid-December to the end of April.

The National Commission for Natural Protected Areas said its census indicated a 10 per cent increase on last season, making it one of the highest migrations registered during the last two decades.

AP