Suspected pipeline leak sees Californian beaches hit by major oil spill

The spill has hit popular beaches in southern California and threatens wildlife reserves (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

A major oil spill off the coast of southern California has fouled popular beaches and killed wildlife while crews scrambled to contain the crude before it spread further into protected wetlands.

At least 476,000 litres of oil spilled into the waters off Orange County, according to a statement from the city of Huntington Beach.