71-Year-Old Lifeguard Dragged Under by Great White on Patrol
Veteran Lifeguard Survives Great White Shark Encounter in Maine
Imagine being at the beach, doing your job like any other day, when suddenly something huge and powerful grabs you from below and pulls you underwater. That’s exactly what happened to a very experienced lifeguard in Scarborough, Maine, this past weekend. Here’s the full story, explained simply.
What Happened: A Routine Patrol Turns Scary
Greg Wilfert is not your average lifeguard. He’s 71 years old and has been watching over swimmers for 55 years — that’s more than half a century! On a regular patrol day, he was in the water with his rescue buoy (a floating device lifeguards use to help people in trouble) when something shocking happened:
- A great white shark grabbed his rescue buoy
- The shark pulled him underwater with incredible force
- Greg said: "The amount of force that pulled me under I’ve never felt anything like that, never."
At first, Greg thought he’d gotten tangled in a boat propeller (the spinning blades that push boats forward). But then he realized there was no boat anywhere nearby. That’s when he knew — it was a great white shark.
IMPORTANT POINT: Great white sharks are large, powerful predators. They can grow up to 20 feet long and weigh over 5,000 pounds. They’re known for their strength and sharp teeth.
How He Escaped: Quick Thinking Saves the Day
Greg didn’t panic. He used his decades of experience to get free. Here’s exactly what he did, step by step:
- Realized the danger — Knew immediately it was a shark, not a boat
- Stayed calm — Didn’t thrash around (which can attract sharks more)
- Slipped the strap off — His rescue buoy had a strap; he unbuckled it as fast as he could
- Swam to the surface — Got his head above water to breathe
- Swam straight to shore — "I just b-lined it for the shoreline" (went directly there as fast as possible)
Beach Response: Everyone Gets to Safety Fast
Once Greg reached the sand, he didn’t just catch his breath — he took action to protect others:
- Screamed warnings — Yelled for everyone to get out of the water immediately
- Beach closed for one hour — Officials shut down swimming right away
- Search launched — Used drones (flying cameras) and jet skis to look for the shark
- No one else was hurt — Thanks to Greg’s quick warnings
Unusually High Shark Activity: Not a Normal Weekend
This wasn’t just one shark. Officials reported something unusual:
- At least a dozen sharks spotted over the weekend
- Seen at several different Scarborough beaches
- Called "unusually high even for this time of year" by experts
Local surfer Carl Smith, who’s been in these waters for a long time, said:
"I’ve been surfing and sailing here for a long time and I’ve never really experienced this, it’s wild."
Beachgoers are being extra careful. As Carl put it: "It’s a little disconcerting but I guess you try to stay safe out there."
Current Safety Alert: Red and Yellow Flags Flying
The beach isn’t back to normal yet. Here’s what’s in place right now:
| Alert Level | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Red & Yellow Alert | Check with lifeguards BEFORE entering the water |
| Duration | Stays in effect until sharks are no longer in the area |
| Who Decides | Local officials and marine safety experts |
IMPORTANT POINT: A "red and yellow alert" is a specific warning system. It doesn’t mean the beach is closed forever — but you must talk to a lifeguard first so they can tell you current conditions.
Safety Advice from the Expert Himself
Greg Wilfert wants people to still enjoy the beach — but smartly. His advice:
"You still can have fun at the beach but play it safe. Stay close to shore, you don’t need to go out into the deep water, you’re asking for trouble."
Greg’s Simple Safety Rules:
- Stay in shallow water — Close enough to stand up easily
- Swim near lifeguards — They’re watching for danger
- Don’t go out deep — That’s where big sharks hunt
- Listen to alerts — Red/yellow flags mean "check first"
- Stay calm if you see something — Panic leads to bad decisions
Summary: What You Need to Know
- Veteran lifeguard Greg Wilfert (71, 55 years experience) survived a great white shark attack in Scarborough, Maine
- Shark grabbed his rescue buoy and pulled him under with extreme force
- He escaped by unclipping his buoy strap and swimming straight to shore
- Warned everyone immediately — beach closed, drones and jet skis searched
- At least 12 sharks spotted — unusually high for the area and season
- Red/yellow alert active — must check with lifeguards before swimming
- Greg’s advice: Have fun, but stay close to shore and follow lifeguard instructions
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
How common are great white sharks in Maine?
Great whites have always visited Maine waters, especially in summer when seals (their favorite food) are abundant. But seeing a dozen in one weekend at multiple beaches is very unusual, even for experts.
Why did the shark grab the rescue buoy instead of the lifeguard?
Sharks often investigate objects with their mouths. The buoy — floating, moving, maybe splashing — likely looked like prey (like a seal) from below. It was a case of mistaken identity.
What should I do if I see a shark while swimming?
- Stay calm — Don’t splash or thrash
- Keep eye contact — Sharks prefer ambush; watching them helps
- Slowly back toward shore — Don’t turn your back
- Alert lifeguards immediately — They’ll clear the water
Is the beach closed permanently?
No. The beach is open, but under a red/yellow alert. This means: go to the lifeguard stand, ask if it’s safe, and follow their instructions. The alert will be lifted when sharks leave the area.
Why are there so many sharks right now?
Several factors: warmer water temperatures, healthy seal populations (shark food), better tracking technology (we see more because we look more), and natural migration patterns. Scientists are studying this increase carefully.
Stay safe, listen to the lifeguards, and enjoy the beach — from a smart distance!
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