A whale, seen swimming above the water line at Windansea Beach in La Jolla, suffered life threatening injuries after becoming entangled in a line, according to Justin Viezbicke, the West Coast Regional Stranding Coordinator for NOAA Fisheries.
The whale was spotted Monday afternoon by beachgoers. Some told NBC 7, the whale had been swimming above the water line and spouting water for hours.
Viezbicke said the whale was in "poor condition and has significant life threatening wounds."
He said the whale was first reported Sunday afternoon.
NBC 7 spoke with one man who was part of a group of fishermen who spotted the whale near La Jolla.
Cell phone video appears to show one of their crew members already in the water trying to help. In the background, someone is heard shouting, "Pet him! Pet him! Make him feel good."
Shortly after, someone commented on the whale's condition,
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"He's got a huge gash on his head. Looks like a boat ran over him."
According to Viezbicke, the Good Samaritans helped cut the whale free of two buoys and some type of line.
Monday, after the fishermen's good deed, a SeaWorld Mammal Rescue Team, along with San Diego Lifeguards responded and were in the water, evaluating the whale.
The whale was located less than a quarter of a mile from shore at the Windansea Beach.
"Sometimes we're surprised by these animals. They're resilient and salt water can do wonders on healing wounds. But it depends on how bad and deep and what kind of infections are going on internally. That could take us the next few days to see," Viezbicke said.
A lifeguard boat assisted during the rescue and helping keep the whale from shore, if necessary.
NOAA Fisheries said euthanasia is a possibility if it does come on shore.
