{
  "id": 581223,
  "title": "Maine lifeguard \"started swimming like hell\" when Shark pulled him underwater",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/maine-lifeguard-started-swimming-like-hell-when-shark-pulled-him",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-11T16:32:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CBS News",
    "slug": "cbs-news",
    "url": "https://www.cbsnews.com/news/maine-lifeguard-shark-attack-sightings-warning/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A Maine lifeguard recounted his harrowing encounter with a shark while he was swimming at Scarborough Beach on Saturday. According to Greg Wilfert, he instinctively began swimming \"like hell\" when a shark grabbed his buoy and dragged him underwater. Initially, Wilfert thought he had been caught in the propeller of a passing boat, but soon realized there was no boat in sight. He was pulled about five feet below the surface before managing to break free and surface unharmed.\n\nOfficials along the East Coast have reported an increase in shark sightings near popular beaches in the region. Daryen Granata, Scarborough's marine resources officer, noted that while they typically see only one or two sharks in the area, there have been at least a dozen spotted in recent days. This surge in shark activity can be attributed to conservation efforts that have led to a growth in marine life populations, according to experts.\n\nThe surge in shark sightings is a result of conservation efforts that have led to an increase in marine life populations in recent years, according to experts. OCEARCH founder Chris Fischer, who studies sharks, warned that people should remain vigilant and avoid areas with a high density of marine life. However, shark encounters remain rare, with the International Shark Attack File reporting only 25 unprovoked bites last year.",
  "summary": "A lifeguard said a shark off the coast of Scarborough Beach in Maine grabbed onto his buoy and pulled him 5 feet underwater before he was able to get free.",
  "key_points": [
    "Greg Wilfert recounts shark attack at Scarborough Beach",
    "Shark dragged lifeguard underwater, five feet deep",
    "Conservation efforts boost marine life populations"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/581223.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "Lifeguard who escaped shark shares \"frightening\" encounter on Maine beach",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/lifeguard-who-escaped-shark-shares-frightening-encounter-on-maine",
        "published": "2026-08-11T16:07:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Toronto Sun",
        "title": "71-year-old Maine lifeguard recalls shark encounter",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/71-year-old-maine-lifeguard-recalls-shark-encounter",
        "published": "2026-08-11T22:12:14.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}