'Grim' prospects for stranded whale at Ripiro Beach - mayor

Hope continues to fade for a stranded humpback whale near Dargaville. The female whale, which was found with a now dead calf, has been stuck on Ripiro Beach since early Sunday. More than 100 rescuers tried to refloat the whales during the past two days to no avail. High tide was just before 6am but DOC says it wouldn't do anything until first light at around 7am in Dargaville. Kaipara Mayor, Dr Jason Smith tells Guyon Espiner "things are looking grim".