A 60ft (18m) whale that was discovered on a beach near Gerinish on South Uist on Tuesday has died. Personnel at a nearby military rocket test range had been helping with efforts to lessen the distress of a dying animal. The animal was thought to be a fin or a rare sei whale. Defence contractor Qinetiq had agreed to shut access to the Hebrides Rocket Range until the whale died and security staff were patrolling the area. British Divers Marine Life Rescue had sought help from the range in preventing people from gathering around the mammal.