White shark dragged lifeguard underwater in Scarborough this weekend, officials say

MAINE PUBLIC • August 10, 2026

A lifeguard had a close call with a white shark at Scarborough Beach State Park over the weekend. Daryen Granata said the lifeguard was swimming back to shore Saturday with his hand strapped to a plastic rescue device. "A white shark grabbed hold of the line, or the torp, and pulled the lifeguard down five or six feet underwater," Granata said. "The lifeguard was able to shed the strap and then he began to swim in." The lifeguard made it back to shore safely. The incident occurred about 50 yards off the beach. There have been a number of white shark sightings in the area within the last week.