Maine lifeguard "started swimming like hell" when shark pulled him underwater

A lifeguard in Maine recounted a frightening encounter off the coast of Scarborough Beach, where a shark latched onto his buoy and dragged him underwater. Greg Wilfert said he initially believed he was caught in a boat's propeller until he realized no vessel was present.

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started swimming like hell

Wilfert managed to break free after being pulled about five feet below the surface. He emerged on shore unharmed but described the experience as "frightening." He added, "I'm not going to deny that."

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'Cause that's the only thing I could think of until I realized there was no boat

Officials along the East Coast have observed a higher concentration of sharks in shallower waters, venturing into areas they typically avoid. Scarborough's marine resources officer, Daryen Granata, noted that at least a dozen sharks have been spotted near popular beaches recently, a volume significantly larger than she has witnessed in over 30 years of working in the area.

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It was frightening. I'm not going to deny that.

Experts attribute this trend to successful conservation efforts that have led to an increase in marine life populations. Chris Fischer, founder of OCEARCH, a nonprofit that studies sharks, explained, "We're gonna see more of everything, including more sharks." He advised people to be aware of their surroundings and steer clear of areas with abundant marine life. Despite the increased sightings, shark encounters remain rare, with the International Shark Attack File reporting 25 unprovoked bites last year.

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Usually we'll see one or two here and there. This is a large volume, larger than I've seen, and I've worked this area for 30-plus years