A WHALE has been spotted entangled in rope off North-East coastline.
Hartlepool RNLI were called to reports from Humber coastguard to what was thought to be a Minke whale that was entangled in rope at an area off Seaton Carew near Longscar Rocks at 9.15am this morning.
The whale had earlier been spotted on the shoreline by a member of the public who had contacted the coastguard.
Hartlepool RNLI inshore lifeboat helm Matt Blanchard said ‘We carried out a search of the area but nothing was found.
"Hopefully the whale has since freed itself from the rope".
The RNLI crew were stood down by Humber Coastguard at 9.55am and returned to the Ferry Road lifeboat station where the inshore lifeboat was made ready for service by 10.20am.
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