Hopes fade for minke whale stranded in River Thames

Condition of mammal is deteriorating, says rescue service coordinator, with refloat' unlikely

• How might a whale have ended up in the Thames? And other questions

Hopes of saving the small whale that has become stranded along the River Thames for a second time are running out.

Hundreds of people had gathered at Richmond lock and weir in south-west London on Sunday after the whale, a minke between three and four metres long, became stuck on the lock's boat rollers.