Officials at Scarborough Beach State Park confirmed a harrowing incident involving a lifeguard and a white shark this past Saturday. While on duty, the lifeguard was operating a rescue torpedo when a white shark grabbed the equipment, pulling him five to six feet below the surface. The lifeguard managed to detach from the device and swam back to shore without suffering further harm. Bystanders noted the rescue torpedo appearing several feet above the water after the initial contact occurred.
Local authorities immediately closed the beach to swimming for one hour following the event to allow for an assessment of the area. Daryen Granata, a Scarborough Marine Resource Officer, verified the report and confirmed the account matches patterns observed in the region. Experts from the New England Aquarium have reviewed the circumstances, noting that the shark activity is part of an ongoing trend in the waters off Scarborough and Higgins Beach.
Public safety teams are urging beachgoers to stay alert as multiple sharks have been observed moving through nearshore waters and sandbars. Visitors are advised to strictly follow lifeguard instructions and exit the water immediately when prompted. Swimming near schools of fish, seals, or feeding birds remains dangerous. As local agencies continue to monitor the coast, they stress that shark activity can happen close to the shore in shallow depths. Always report any sightings to personnel on duty.