Rescue team frees entangled humpback whale

CARMEL, Calif. -- Rescuers freed a humpback whale that was caught in fishing lines off the Carmel Coast.

The whale was entangled in a heavy line from a crab pot system. All of these pots are normally pulled by the time of year that whales enter this area, but the season started late. Few whales have become trapped, but those that do can sustain severe injuries.

KPIX 5 reports that the crab fisherman who reported the situation stayed with the whale until a specially trained rescue crew arrived.

The whale was freed less than seven hours after the incident was reported.

Watch: Eyewitnesses film whale off NC coast