US Shark Attack: Maine Beach Lifeguard Shares How Great White Pulled Him Underwater (Video)

A Maine lifeguard with more than five decades of experience survived a suspected great white shark encounter at Scarborough Beach State Park after a shark grabbed his rescue flotation device and pulled him underwater, officials said. Greg Wilfert, the park manager and a lifeguard in his 55th year at the beach, was using a rescue torpedo in the water Saturday afternoon when he was pulled about 5 to 6 feet below the surface.

Wilfert was able to free himself from the strap attached to the rescue torpedo and swim back to shore without further incident. Although he did not see the shark, he said the force and circumstances made him believe it was responsible for pulling the flotation device underwater. Fiji Shark Attack: New Zealand Influencer Henry Gibbs Shares Recovery Update After Surviving Dive Horror.

US Beach Lifeguard Shares How Great White Shark Pulled Him Underwater

Maine Lifeguard Pulled Under by Rescue Torpedo

Wilfert was in the water when the rescue torpedo was grabbed and pulled beneath the surface. "I thought I was caught in a boat propeller, and I realized I wasn't," Wilfert said.

He was dragged approximately 5 to 6 feet underwater before managing to release himself from the strap connected to the flotation device. Wilfert said he did not see the animal but quickly concluded that a shark was responsible. "There's no fish that's going to do that," Wilfert said. "It has to be a big fish or a shark. It had to be the shark." Australia Shark Attack: Man Allegedly Mauled to Death by Bull Shark at Great Barrier Reef off Queensland Coast, 2nd Incident Within Week.

He then swam back toward the beach and safely exited the water. "I was hoping that it wasn't coming back up to check me out," he said.

Bystander Reported Rescue Float Rising From Water

A bystander later told Scarborough officials that they saw the rescue torpedo rise approximately 6 to 8 feet out of the water shortly after Wilfert began swimming back toward shore.

According to officials, the reported shark activity and circumstances surrounding the encounter are consistent with other shark activity recently observed in the area.

The incident was also reviewed and corroborated by New England Aquarium shark expert John Chisholm.

Wilfert told Maine's Total Coverage that there have been more than a dozen shark sightings in the past few days.

Scarborough Beach Temporarily Closed

Scarborough Beach State Park was closed to swimming for about an hour following the encounter as lifeguards and public safety personnel assessed the situation and monitored the surrounding waters.

The park has since increased its safety measures.

Lifeguards are positioned closer to shore to survey the water, while a jet ski is patrolling the ocean and a drone is being used for aerial monitoring.

Beachgoers are currently being allowed to enter the water only to about waist depth.

"We're not taking any chances," said Wilfert, who is in his 55th year as a lifeguard at Scarborough Beach State Park.

Great White Shark Activity Continues

Officials said a significant number of great white sharks continue to be observed in the waters off Scarborough Beach State Park and nearby Higgins Beach.

Multiple sharks have been seen moving through nearshore waters and sandbar areas.

Last week, nearly a dozen young sharks were spotted off Pine Point Beach in Scarborough within a 48-hour period.

The continued sightings have prompted local authorities to urge beachgoers to exercise caution when entering the water.

Shark Safety Guidelines for Beachgoers

The Scarborough Public Safety Team has advised swimmers to pay close attention to lifeguards and posted beach advisories.

People entering the water have been advised to:

• Immediately leave the water when instructed by lifeguards or public safety personnel.
• Avoid swimming near schools of fish, seals or areas where birds are actively feeding.
• Avoid swimming alone and remain aware of changing conditions.
• Remember that shark activity can occur close to shore and in relatively shallow water.
• Report shark sightings to lifeguards or local public safety personnel.

Town officials said they will continue monitoring shark activity in Scarborough and will provide additional information to the public when warranted.

While Wilfert was not bitten and did not directly see the shark, officials said the circumstances of the encounter were consistent with other great white shark activity being observed along the coast.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 11, 2026 07:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).