  An excited state of $^{12}$C having excitation energy E$_x \sim$ 9.65 $\pm$
0.02 MeV and width (FWHM) $\sim607\pm$ 55 keV, which decays to three $ \alpha
$-particles via Hoyle state ($E_x \sim$ 7.65 MeV), has been directly identified
for the first time in the exclusive inelastic scattering of 60 MeV $^{4}$He on
$^{12}$C, measured in coincidence with the recoiling $^{12}$C$ ^* $ Hoyle state
(decaying mostly as $^{12}$C$ ^* $ $\rightarrow \ ^{8} $Be + $ \alpha $
$\rightarrow \ \alpha + \alpha + \alpha$) by event-by-event kinematic
reconstruction of the completely detected (4$ \alpha $) events. This state is
likely to be a candidate for 2$_2^+$ first excited Hoyle state, the existence
of which has recently been indirectly evidenced from the recent inclusive
inelastic scattering studies.
