Whale dies after getting hit by boat, knocking passenger overboard in Barnegat Bay

Whale dies after colliding with boat off Barnegat Bay, New Jersey

Wildlife officials are investigating the death of a whale that died after it was struck by a boat off the coast of New Jersey.

BARNEGAT BAY, N.J. - A day on the water took a scary turn when a boat collided with a whale at the Jersey Shore, nearly capsizing and fatally injuring the whale.

What we know:

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center says a boater reported that another boat struck a whale in Barnegat Bay around 2:45 p.m. Saturday.

Video shared with FOX 29 shows the boat sway to the side, sending a passenger into the water as the whale is seen swimming away.

Whale dies after getting hit by boat, knocking passenger overboard in Barnegat Bay

A day on the water took a scary turn when a boat collided with a whale at the Jersey Shore, nearly capsizing and fatally injuring the whale. Credit: Kim Mancini

The whale, identified as a 20-foot Minke whale, was later found dead on a sandbar in very shallow water outside the channel.

What's next:

The whale will be moved on Monday morning due to available equipment and the upcoming tide cycle. A necropsy is expected to follow.

What you can do:

Boaters are being asked to use caution in the area north of Double Creek Channel in Barnegat Bay, and to keep a minimum of 150 feet away from the whale.