‘Shark’ spotted off Dorset beach with terrified bathers told ‘get out of the water’

A BUSY beach had to be closed to bathers today after a shark was reportedly spotted in the water.

In scenes straight out of the movie Jaws, bathers were told to get out of the water following the possible sighting off Boscombe beach in Bournemouth, Dorset.

3

3

RNLI lifeguards put up red flags, the signal to warn swimmers of a serious hazard in the water.

And just like Chief Brody in the cult film Jaws, they also put out a tannoy announcement telling people to get out of the sea due to "large marine wildlife" in the water.

The beach, that was busy with families enjoying their summer holidays, remained closed for almost an hour while lifeguards searched the sea on jet-skis looking for the ominous sign of a dorsal fin protruding from the water.

It is not known what species of shark was reported to have been spotted in the shallow water but it wasn't seen again.

Witness Gemma Harris said: "The lifeguard put out a loudspeaker announcement saying 'everyone out of the water, there is marine wildlife in the water..

"Everybody rushed out of the water and the RNLI response was very effective.

"They checked the water for about half-an-hour before letting bathers back in. Apparently a fin was spotted. We heard one of the RNLI team say it was a shark but nothing has been confirmed."

A spokesman for the RNLI said: "There were sightings of large marine life at Boscombe beach.

"The situation is being closely monitored by RNLI lifeguards who are asking visitors to stay away from the water and have put up red flags."

3

Most read in News

CUTS HINT

Embattled Rachel Reeves opens door to emergency spending cuts amid market chaos

SKI HORROR

Tragedy as Brit skier dies after 'crashing into another UK tourist in France'

POLICE MANHUNT

CCTV in hunt for 2 teens over a WEEK after schoolboy stabbed to death on bus

TULIP OUT

Under-fire Tulip Siddiq QUITS as anti-corruption minister amid scandal

The spokesman for the RNLI said they were three reports of some kind of "large marine life".

A BCP Council spokesperson commented: "We were made aware by the RNLI that they temporarily closed the beach at Boscombe as a precautionary measure whilst an inspection was carried out in the area.

"The beach is now open again for people to enjoy."