Young beached whale off LI near death

EAST HAMPTON The 25-foot-long whale was discovered Tuesday morning on the eastern Long Island shore of East Hampton, an exclusive beach used mostly by residents of the tony village. In the past two days, thousands of visitors have trekked there to see the beached whale lying in the shallow water as a heavy surf pounded the white sand.

Experts say the whale was already dying when it came to shore and cannot be rehabilitated. Rescuers on Wednesday were considering whether the mammal could be safely sedated and euthanized but worried the whale would thrash and injure someone.

Beached whales are found in the area every year or two.