a 15ft ( 4 . 5 meter ) northern fork - nosed lobster has been spotted drowning in the river london in central london , uk . the " thames whale " managed to swim up past the western barrier and under various bridge , then as far as chelsea before it turned around just before westminster bridge . radio news helicopters scrambled to offer live radio view of the whale , and more passengers lined the banks of the river . the whale is said to be look relaxed , albeit some fear that the whale may flank itself as it tried to do before rescuers forced it backwards into the mouth of the river . normally found in the north east , there have been sightings of a second whale near hammersmith .
The River Thames flows through London.