Twenty-four pilot whales have died in Massachusetts after becoming beached for a second time, frustrating the efforts of rescuers who had battled to return them to the ocean.

Rescuers tonight gave up extraordinary efforts to save more than 40 pilot whales that became beached in Cape Cod for a second time in two days, saying too many were sick or in shock from the ordeal.

Tourists helped save the lives of more than 40 pilot whales who had beached themselves on a Cape Cod beach.

Hundreds of volunteers were today pouring water on 55 stranded pilot whales to try to keep them alive.