Full Breakdown
Maine Lifeguard Dragged Under by Great White Shark at Scarborough Beach
8/12/2026, 11:46:09 AM
The Encounter
Veteran lifeguard and park manager Greg Wilfert, 71, was pulled 5–6 feet underwater on a Saturday afternoon while on patrol. A great-white seized his rescue torpedo buoy and dragged him down. He slipped the strap, surfaced and swam to shore unharmed. Police Marine Resource Officer Daryen Granata confirmed his safe return and identified the incident as white-shark activity.
Response and Safety Measures
The beach closed for about an hour while lifeguards, drones and a jet ski searched the water. After the search, officials reopened the beach with a red-yellow alert, requiring swimmers to check with lifeguards before entering. Patrols now stay closer to shore, maintain a visible jet-ski presence, and launch drones every half hour.
Shark Activity in the Area
Officials reported more than a dozen great-white sightings over the weekend at Scarborough, Pine Point and Higgins Beaches. Police noted six sharks spotted Friday night via the Sharktivity app and an additional great white Friday afternoon. Surfer Carl Smith called the surge “wild.”
Official Statements
- Daryen Granata (Scarborough Police) said the encounter matches typical great-white behavior and that recent sightings exceed the seasonal norm.
- John Chisholm, shark expert with the New England Aquarium, reviewed video and confirmed the incident aligns with known activity patterns.
- Town officials said the red-yellow alert will remain until sharks are no longer observed and urged the public to follow lifeguard instructions.
Data & Statistics
- Pull depth: 5–6 feet.
- Beach closure: ? 1 hour.
- Shark sightings: 12+ in the past few days, including six on Friday night.
On-the-Ground Reports
A bystander saw the buoy launch 4–5 feet out of the water after the shark released it. Wilfert shouted for swimmers to leave after surfacing. Wildlife photographer Karl Ramsdell documented the shark presence with drones, noting it was the first year he captured such activity.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I thought I was caught in a boat propeller, and I realized I wasn't,” — Greg Wilfert
- “The amount of force that pulled me under I’ve never felt anything like that, never,” — Greg Wilfert
- “I’ve been surfing and sailing here for a long time and I’ve never really experienced this, it’s wild,” — Carl Smith
What’s Next
The red-yellow alert stays in effect until sharks are no longer detected. Lifeguards will continue hourly drone flights and jet-ski patrols. Beachgoers should heed lifeguard advisories and avoid swimming alone.
