Lifeguard dragged underwater by great white shark at Scarborough Beach
A lifeguard at Scarborough Beach State Park was pulled underwater by a great white shark while using a rescue torpedo, but he swam back to shore without injury. The beach was temporarily closed as officials assessed the situation.
A lifeguard at Scarborough Beach State Park in Maine was pulled underwater by a great white shark on Saturday afternoon while operating a rescue torpedo. The shark seized the device and dragged the lifeguard about five to six feet below the surface before he released the strap and swam back to shore safely.
A witness reported seeing the rescue torpedo surface six to eight feet above the water after the lifeguard began his return. The incident prompted a brief closure of the beach for about an hour while public safety personnel evaluated the area.
Local officials said the encounter matches other recent shark activity in the region and was confirmed by New England Aquarium shark expert John Chisholm. They noted that great white sharks have been frequently observed near Scarborough Beach and nearby Higgins Beach, with multiple sightings of schools of fish, seals, and feeding birds.
The Scarborough Public Safety Team reiterated safety recommendations, urging beachgoers to follow lifeguard instructions, avoid swimming near marine wildlife, not swim alone, and report any shark sightings. Town authorities said monitoring will continue and updates will be provided as needed.