Veteran Maine lifeguard pulled underwater by great white shark during patrol

A 71-year-old lifeguard with 55 years of experience was pulled underwater by a great white shark while conducting a routine patrol on a Scarborough beach over the weekend. Greg Wilfert said the shark seized his rescue buoy and dragged him down with force he had never felt before. He managed to free himself by slipping off the buoy strap and swam to shore, where he warned swimmers and helped close the beach for about an hour while authorities deployed a drone and jet skis to search the water.

Local officials reported at least a dozen shark sightings along several Scarborough beaches, describing the number as unusually high for the season. The beach remains under a red and yellow alert, advising visitors to check with lifeguards before entering the water. The alert will stay in place until sharks are no longer observed in the area.

"I knew it was a great white," Wilfert said after the incident.

Surfer Carl Smith, who has spent many years surfing and sailing locally, said the recent sightings were unlike anything he had previously experienced. Wilfert urged beachgoers to stay close to shore and avoid deep water.

"You still can have fun at the beach but play it safe. Stay close to shore — you don’t need to go into the deep water, you’re asking for trouble," he added.