Wells town beaches closed to swimming after great white shark sighting
WELLS, Maine —
Wells officials say the town’s beaches are closed to swimming after a great white shark was spotted Wednesday morning within 500 yards of Wells Beach.
The Wells Fire Department said the sighting of the 10-foot juvenile shark is consistent with other recent sightings off the coast of southern Maine.
Out of an abundance of caution, Wells lifeguards are flying the purple flag at all stands for the entire day on Wednesday. While the purple flag is flying, there will be no swimming allowed at the beaches.
“Stay alert, stay safe, and enjoy the beach responsibly,” the Wells Fire Department said in a Facebook post.
This sighting comes less than a week after a lifeguard at Scarborough Beach State Park was pulled about 5 feet underwater by a shark that latched onto his rescue buoy. The Scarborough lifeguard was able to escape unscathed.