Volunteers, medics and members of the public battled for hours to save a dolphin which washed up on a beach.
Littlehampton Coastguard was tasked to assist British Divers Marine Life Rescue with the stranded animal on Pagham beach on Monday.
Members of the public and volunteers from BDMLR were with the dolphin for several hours as they tried to return it to the sea.
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The team stood by with the BDMLR volunteers, medics and a vet to provide safety cover and assist with keeping people away.
Despite everyone’s best efforts and attempts to get the dolphin to swim back out sea, the vet had to make the decision to put the dolphin to sleep.
A spokesman for Littlehampton Coastguard Rescue Team: “For any stranded marine animals (alive or deceased) on the coast of the UK call 999 for the Coastguard.
"Our operations rooms will task Coastguard Rescue Officers to assist as well as requesting assistance from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue, and other agencies if needed.”
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