Dead whale washed up in Newport Beach near 11th Street

A dead whale washed up on the sand in Newport Beach on Wednesday, with authorities assessing how the mammal died — and how to get it off of the popular beach.

The 27-foot whale was first spotted offshore at about 1:45 p.m. near 28th Street and came onto shore at about 3 p.m. near 11th Street, between the Newport and Balboa piers and near Newport Elementary school, Lifeguard Chief Brian O’Rourke said.

The mammal is believed to be a humpback and about 20,000 pounds, or 10 tons, he said.