Dead whale found on Cumbrian beach as Storm Boelo batters UK

Dead whale found on Cumbrian beach as Storm Boelo batters UK The coastguard has urged the public to report any other stranded whales - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in A dead whale has been discovered at a beach in Cumbria over the weekend as Storm Boelo battered parts of the UK. The public has been urged to stay away from the juvenile northern bottlenose whale that washed up at Flimby Beach amid strong gusts and extreme weather conditions. Maryport Coastguard Rescue Team was called to the beach on Sunday morning following the discovery, but found that the animal had already died. It has told the public to avoid the animal as it “may have toxins that can pass to humans” and asked people to report any other stranded whales as soon as possible. The coastguard said: “Gathering round the animal will intensify their distress, and it is possible for disease to be passed to humans.” It also urged anyone who spots a stranded whales to dial 999 and ask for the coastguard, give details, then keep clear and wait for help. “Well-intentioned rescue efforts by the public could cause them painful injuries and, with their huge weight and potential to thrash, be dangerous to those involved,” it added. Northern bottlenose whales typically live in pods of four to 20 whales in the cooler waters of the North Atlantic Ocean, where they can dive to more than 1,400m deep, charity Whale and Dolphin Conservation says. The discovery came as Cumbria suffered intense weather over the weekend, with flooding and toppled trees blocking roads during Storm Boelo. Thousands of homes were without power across the county, as the Met Office issued an amber warning for strong winds. Another yellow warning is coming into force at 6pm on Monday when a spell of strong south to south-westerly winds is expected to cause disruption into the early hours of Tuesday. Gusts of 45 to 50mph inland and 60 to 65 mph along exposed coasts and over high ground are forecast, and the Met Office has warned people to be aware of large waves. It follows severe conditions over the weekend when the storm caused widespread power cuts to hundreds of thousands of people in Scotland and England’s north west. A 60-year-old man was killed by a falling tree in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, on Sunday morning, while a man in his 20s was also killed after a tree fell onto his moving car in north London. The Met Office have also issued a yellow warning for wind in Scotland on Tuesday, as it expects gusts of 70mph in exposed areas in the northwest and far north. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments