Maine Beach Closes After Shark Pulls Lifeguard 6 Feet Underwater

There was a close call at a beach in Maine after a shark pulled a lifeguard underwater on Saturday, August 8. Read on for the details of how the lifeguard escaped.

Lifeguard Narrowly Escapes Being Pulled Under by Shark 

A lifeguard working at Maine's Scarborough Beach State Park was able to get free after a shark got hold of his rescue torpedo and dragged him about 6 feet below the water's surface. The incident led to the temporary closure of the beach.

The Town of Scarborough, Maine Harbor Master & Marine Resources issued a press release detailing the incident. According to the release, the white shark grabbed hold of the rescue device and pulled the lifeguard under. The lifeguard was able to free himself from a strap that had him connected to the torpedo, narrowly escaping the situation and swimming back to shore.

Lifeguard Greg Wilfert told the media, "I thought I was caught in the prop of a boat, but I soon realized it wasn’t a prop of a boat." He went on to detail that he was able to slip out of the harness before swimming as quickly as possible to safety. A bystander observed the rescue torpedo rise about 6 to 8 feet out of the water just after Wilfert began swimming back to shore.

Officials closed Scarborough Beach State Park for about one hour after the incident so that lifeguards and public safety personnel could watch the surrounding waters and give the all clear. Local authorities said that the shark activity was reviewed by the New England Aquarium and its shark expert John Chisolm.

It has been a difficult summer for anxious beachgoers in Maine and up and down the East Coast. Several sharks have been observed swimming close to the coastline and near sandbar areas at both Scarborough Beach State Park and Higgins Beach.

Beachgoers are being advised to stay vigilant when spending time at the shore. This includes paying close attention to lifeguard instructions and posted advisories. Be sure to exit the water immediately when told to do so. People should also avoid swimming near schools of fish, seals, or where birds are actively feeding, as these areas inherently attract sharks. Shark activity can happen in shallow waters where you would least expect the predators to be.

Scarborough law enforcement authorities said that the town would continue to monitor the reported shark activity and provide information to the public as needed.

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