A Scarborough lifeguard was dragged five to six feet underwater by a shark before he was able to break free on Saturday, amid a growing number of recent great white sightings in the area.
On Saturday afternoon, a lifeguard was on a rescue torpedo in the water off Scarborough Beach State Park when his device was grabbed by a shark.
The shark pulled him five to six feet underwater before he was able to extricate himself from the strap attached to the torpedo and swim to shore.
A witness reported seeing the torpedo subsequently come out of the water shortly after the lifeguard began fleeing.
The lifeguard exited the water without further incident, and the beach was closed for approximately one hour while lifeguards and public safety personnel assessed the situation.
The incident is consistent with the recent increase in shark activity in the area.
Beachgoers are urged to avoid swimming near fish, seals, or areas where birds are feeding, avoid swimming alone, and report shark activity to lifeguards.
The Scarborough Police Department also reminded swimmers that shark activity can occur close to the shore and in shallow water.
That’s what federal protection of fur seals 50 years ago or so did is increase the food availability for the sharks. Now they’re back.
It is going to happen with the introduction of wolves with no kill laws. They’re just gonna over populate then kill everything in site. Some states are already getting there. A collared tracking system In Minnesota has shown they do travel several thousand miles a year.