Great White Drags Lifeguard Under at Scarborough Beach

What Happened astatine Scarborough Beach?

Imagine you’re astatine the formation connected a bully summertime day. Suddenly, a lifeguard who’s trying to support everyone harmless gets pulled underwater by a large achromatic shark! That’s precisely what happened connected Saturday day astatine Scarborough Beach State Park successful Maine.

Here’s the elemental breakdown:

• A lifeguard was utilizing a rescue torpedo (a peculiar floating instrumentality lifeguards usage to prevention people)
• A achromatic shark grabbed the rescue torpedo and pulled the lifeguard down
• The lifeguard went 5–6 feet underwater — that’s astir arsenic gangly arsenic a grown-up!
• The lifeguard managed to unclip the information strap and aquatics safely backmost to shore
• A idiosyncratic watching from the formation saw the torpedo shoot 6–8 feet up into the air aft the shark fto go

Important Point: Shark adept John Chisholm from the New England Aquarium checked the details and said this matches different shark behaviour they’ve seen successful the area.

What Happened Next?

1. The lifeguard got retired safely — nary injuries reported!
2. The formation closed for swimming for astir one hour
3. Lifeguards and information teams watched the h2o carefully earlier letting radical backmost in
4. Officials reminded everyone that white sharks are inactive nearby

Why Are There So Many Sharks Right Now?

According to Marine Resource Officer Daryen Granata, determination person been lots of achromatic sharks spotted recently:

• Multiple sharks swimming adjacent to shore
• Sharks moving done sandbar areas (shallow underwater hills of sand)
• Activity astatine some Scarborough Beach and adjacent Higgins Beach

Important Point: This isn’t a one-time happening — shark beingness is an ongoing concern for this area.

Other Maine Beaches Affected

It’s not conscionable Scarborough! The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry closed swimming astatine Reid State Park successful Georgetown connected Monday due to the fact that of shark sightings implicit the past 3 days:

• Mile Beach
• Half Mile Beach
• East Beach

Safety Tips for Beachgoers

Officials privation everyone to enactment safe. Here’s what YOU should do:

DO These Things:

• Listen to lifeguards and work each posted signs
• Get retired of the h2o IMMEDIATELY erstwhile told to by lifeguards oregon information staff
• Swim with a buddy — ne'er alone
• Stay aware — conditions tin alteration fast
• Tell a lifeguard if you spot a shark

AVOID These Things:

• Swimming adjacent schools of fish (sharks devour them!)
• Swimming adjacent seals (sharks’ favourite snack)
• Areas wherever birds are diving and feeding (means food — and possibly sharks — are there)
• Thinking you’re harmless conscionable due to the fact that h2o is shallow oregon adjacent to shore — sharks tin beryllium determination too!

Summary

A lifeguard astatine Scarborough Beach State Park had a scary but non-injury brushwood with a achromatic shark that grabbed their rescue torpedo and pulled them underwater briefly. The lifeguard escaped safely by unclipping their strap. Experts corroborate this matches known shark behaviour successful the area, wherever aggregate achromatic sharks person been spotted precocious successful shallow, nearshore waters. Several Maine beaches person temporarily closed owed to shark activity. Officials impulse each beachgoers to travel lifeguard instructions, debar swimming adjacent wildlife activity, and study immoderate shark sightings immediately.

FAQ

How communal are shark encounters successful Maine?

While inactive rare, achromatic shark sightings person increased successful caller years on the Maine coast, particularly successful summertime erstwhile seals (their food) are abundant.

Was the lifeguard hurt?

No! The lifeguard freed themselves from the torpedo strap and swam to enactment safely with nary reported injuries.

Why did the shark drawback the torpedo?

Sharks often analyse objects with their mouths. The torpedo apt looked oregon moved similar prey (such arsenic a seal) to the shark.

Is it harmless to aquatics astatine these beaches now?

Beaches reopen aft information checks, but shark beingness is ongoing. Always travel lifeguard instructions and posted advisories.

What should I bash if I spot a shark?

Stay calm, exit the h2o smoothly, and tell a lifeguard oregon information serviceman immediately. Don’t splash oregon panic — that tin pull attention.