Beached dolphin dies during rescue attempt

A dolphin died after becoming stranded on a beach in Somerset, despite a rescue attempt by wildlife experts. The 6ft-long common dolphin washed up on the high tide at Sandy Bay, near Weston-super-mare.

Coastguards joined a rescue effort alongside marine mammal medics from the Burnham Area Rescue Boat and British Divers Marine Life Rescue.

“It had initially been showing signs of life, with air being blown through its blowhole, but sadly it was declared deceased,” said Mark Newman, of the BARB team. “A sad ending for such a wonderful creature.”