White shark pulls lifeguard underwater at Scarborough Beach State Park

A lifeguard at Scarborough Beach State Park was pulled about five to six feet below the surface on Saturday afternoon after a white shark seized the rescue torpedo he was operating. The lifeguard managed to free himself from the device’s strap and swim back to shore safely. A witness reported the torpedo surfacing roughly six to eight feet after the lifeguard began his return.

Scarborough Marine Resource Officer Daryen Granata said the incident matched other recent shark activity in the area and was confirmed by shark expert John Chisholm of the New England Aquarium. "The reported shark activity and circumstances surrounding the encounter are very consistent with other activity we have seen," Granata said.

Following the event, the park was closed to swimming for about an hour while officials assessed conditions. Granata noted that white sharks have been frequently observed near Scarborough Beach and Higgins Beach, including multiple individuals moving through nearshore waters and sandbars. The town’s public safety team reminded beachgoers to heed lifeguard instructions, avoid swimming near schools of fish or seals, and report any shark sightings.

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry also announced that several beaches at Reid State Park will remain closed on Monday due to a series of recent shark sightings.