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Maine lifeguard dragged underwater by great white shark during routine patrol
WFSB • • nation
Key Points:
- A 71-year-old veteran lifeguard, Greg Wilfert, was pulled underwater by a great white shark during a routine patrol in Scarborough, Maine, after the shark grabbed his rescue buoy and dragged him under.
- Wilfert managed to free himself by slipping off the buoy strap and swam to shore, where he immediately closed the beach and alerted others to get out of the water.
- Officials reported a record number of shark sightings—at least a dozen—along several Scarborough beaches over the weekend, prompting drone and jet ski searches and heightened safety alerts.
- The beach remains on red and yellow alert, advising beachgoers to check with lifeguards before entering the water, with officials stating the alert will continue until sharks are no longer present.
- Despite the increased shark activity, Wilfert encouraged people to enjoy the beach safely by staying close to shore and avoiding deep water.
