Minke whale freed after becoming stranded in River Thames

Picture taken with the permission from the twitter feed of Jake Manketo of a small whale, believed to be a Minke whale, being hosed down after it stranded at Richmond Lock and Weir on Sunday. Picture: Jake Manketo/PA

A small whale has been freed after it became stranded along the River Thames in south-west London on Sunday evening.

Hundreds gathered at Richmond Lock and Weir after the whale, believed to be a Minke and between three to four metres long, became stuck on the lock’s boat rollers.