Stranded whale dies at end of painful ordeal

A 50ft fin whale stranded at Baltimore pier was spared a planned euthanising by navy officials after it died naturally shortly after 11am yesterday.

The 40-tonne whale thrashed violently by the pier wall where it had become stranded since early on Tuesday before settling on the seabed. Experts believe it drowned.

Its death marked an end to a distressing three-day ordeal for villagers and visitors who initially arrived to witness the magnificent mammal up close. But it quickly turned gruesome as the whale, whom locals want to name ‘Finbar’, slashed its delicate skin and dented its jaw as it grew increasingly distressed.