Ten whales dead after washing up on Yorkshire beach

Specialists unable to launch operation to save four whales with chance of surviving ordeal

Ten sperm whales have died after washing up on an East Yorkshire beach.

The animals drifted ashore between Tunstall and Withernsea on Christmas Eve morning, officials from British Divers Marine Life Rescue confirmed - with six of the aquatic mammals found to have died before help could arrive.

Specialists from the charity attended the scene, but said the incoming tide had made any operation to help the four whales who had a chance at survival too dangerous to perform.

A spokeswoman for the BDMLR said reports of more whales at Spurn Point have been checked and nothing has been found.

She said: "We can only hope that there are no more whales still in the area that might yet come ashore.

"We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all of our team involved on the ground and behind the scenes in this awful situation today, of all days for it to happen on, as well as our colleagues in the Maritime and Coastguard Agency who have been on scene all day dealing with these tragic and difficult circumstances."

A spokesperson for HM Coastguard, which was also in attendance, said it had been called at 8.30am after a member of the public spotted what was intitally reported as seven of the animals on the beach.

He said the public had been asked not to attend the area while the incident was ongoing.

The scene at #Tunstall near #Withernsea as rescue teams deal with seven sperm whales that have been washed up on the beach. No rescue underway due to sea state and rising tide. pic.twitter.com/3cz8wgWi7R

— Natalie Bell (@nbell186) December 24, 2020

A spokesperson for Humberside Police said: "There is currently no need for the police to attend the incident however we are on standby should our assistance be required.”