Orca necropsy will search for clues to rare, ‘heartbreaking’ beaching in Florida

Female killer whale died after grounding itself north of Daytona Beach in first recorded instance in south-eastern US

Wildlife officials in Florida will conduct a necropsy to determine the cause of death of a 21ft (6.4-metre) orca, the first recorded instance of a killer whale beaching itself in the south-eastern US.

The female orca was still alive when it came ashore in Flagler county, about 30 miles north of Daytona Beach, early on Wednesday, but died before rescuers arrived.