Carcass of 40 foot whale washes up on Essex beach

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The carcass of a 40-foot whale has washed up on an Essex beach leaving passersby ‘in tears’ at the sight.

The huge mammal was first spotted in shallow water near Clacton-on-Sea at about 6am this morning. Essex Police has confirmed the whale had died and urged the public to stay away from the area.

The whale is currently resting lifeless in the waves as police, marine experts and an ocean cleanup charity try to remove the carcass. The Big Blue Ocean Cleanup, based in Penryn, Cornwall, blamed the whale’s death on plastic waste littering the ocean.

CEO Rory Sinclair said: ‘It is very upsetting seeing a 40 foot whale wash up at Clacton-on-Sea this morning. Whales washing up are currently on the rise mainly due to discarded fishing nets, ocean plastic and infectious diseases.

The type of whale has not yet been identified (Picture: PA)

‘We need to raise awareness on this important issue and protect these incredible marine animals.’

Kirsty Fordham said she had tears in her eyes when she spotted the whale while she out on her early morning walk with husband, Mark, 47. She called police just after 6am.

‘When I first spotted it, she was about 200-ft out and I wasn’t sure if it was the hull of a boat,’ said the 43-year-old. ‘I took a couple of photos and zoomed in and realised it was a whale.

‘It was definitely dead as it was on its back and it was definitely “gone” before it washed up into the shore. It actually washed in quite quickly after I saw it.’

Kirsty, an activities co-ordinator for children with disabilities, said there was no sign of wounds or bleeding.