Dead whale beaches on eastern tip of Fire Island

RIVERHEAD -- Authorities said a dead humpback whale washed up near the east end of Fire Island.

A spokeswoman for the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research & Preservation told Newsday that the organization was making plans to do an on-scene necropsy.

The whale was discovered Tuesday afternoon in an area not easily accessible. She said the necropsy has to be done on the scene at low tide.

Heavy equipment will be needed to pull the whale away from the surf on Wednesday, the spokeswoman said. A thunderstorm is expected Wednesday afternoon.

Humpbacks are endangered.