Maine Lifeguard Pulled Underwater By a Great White Shark

According to an article on the WCSH 6 website, a Scarborough lifeguard was pulled underwater by a white shark Saturday afternoon during a close encounter off Scarborough Beach State Park.

Lifeguard and Scarborough Beach Park Director Greg Wilfert was swimming with a yellow rescue torpedo when a white shark grabbed the device and pulled him underwater. Officials say Wilfert was dragged about five to six feet below the surface before freeing himself from the strap attached to the rescue device and swimming back to shore.

Wilfert initially thought he had been caught in a boat propeller, but later realized that was not the case. A bystander reported seeing the rescue torpedo rise about six to eight feet out of the water shortly after Wilfert began swimming toward shore.

The encounter and reported shark activity were reviewed and corroborated by John Chisholm, a shark expert with the New England Aquarium.

Wilfert was able to leave the water without further incident. Scarborough Beach State Park was closed to swimming for about an hour while lifeguards and public safety officials assessed the situation and monitored nearby waters.

Officials say a significant number of white sharks continue to be spotted off Scarborough Beach State Park and Higgins Beach, including multiple sharks moving through nearshore waters and sandbar areas.

Beachgoers are being urged to follow lifeguard instructions, avoid swimming alone, and leave the water immediately when directed. Officials also recommend avoiding areas where schools of fish, seals or actively feeding birds are present.

Authorities warn that sharks can swim close to shore and in relatively shallow water. Anyone who spots a shark is asked to report it to lifeguards or local public safety personnel.

According to the WWF, the great white shark is the largest known predatory fish in the world. It has about 300 teeth but does not chew its food. Instead, it tears prey into pieces and swallows them whole. Its powerful, torpedo-shaped body allows it to swim long distances and quickly accelerate when chasing prey, sometimes leaping out of the water. Great whites eat a variety of animals, from small fish to seals and dolphins.

As one of the ocean’s top predators, great white sharks play an important role in the marine food chain. Despite their fame, scientists still have much to learn about their behavior and biology

Scarborough officials say they will continue monitoring shark activity and will provide additional information as conditions warrant.