A 10-foot-long great white shark beached in the shallows of the Santa Cruz coastline in California, where some brave ocean lovers tried to pull it back into the water — without success.
The giant fish seemed confused about direction as it thrashed close to shore during rough surf Friday evening, at one point rolling over on its back. When some good Samaritans hauled it back into deeper water — twice — it swam “aimlessly” and ended up beached again, said a local shark expert.
The big fish likely didn’t survive. It was seen later apparently battered and bloodied by the waves before it vanished.
Pelagic Research Shark Foundation Executive Director Sean Van Sommeran told the Santa Cruz Sentinel that 13-foot waves were hurting the animal’s chances to head back to sea.
“We were able to get the shark uprighted and in the water. It just kind of turned around. It was aimless,” Van Sommeran told KSBW.
Would-be rescuers believed the shark was sick or injured.
As many as 50 bystanders gathered one point as people came to see the shark— and some took photos of it until police arrived with a bullhorn to warn them away.
Wildlife officials will attempt to recover a carcass for examination if it washes ashore.
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