Woman Dies of Apparent Shark Attack Off Coast of Harspwell

The Maine Marine Patrol is investigating the death of a woman near Bailey Island from an apparent shark attack.

News Center Maine talked to witnesses at the scene off the coast of Harpswell where a woman was swimming near While Sails Lane. The Coast Guard did get a call of a possible shark attack, and was about to send a small boat from the Coast Guard station in South Portland, when they called it off. They did not respond because two kayakers were helping the two people in the water back to shore. When they reached the shore, they were met by Harpswell EMS. One woman, who has not been identified until family is notified, was pronounced dead at the scene according to Maine Patrol.

According to a tweet by News Center Maine reporter Hannah Dineen, the witness who called 9-1-1, saw a woman thrown into the air while swimming between the shore line and the first lobster buoy.

The investigation is ongoing and according to the Maine Patrol, swimmers and boaters should use caution near Bailey Island and avoid swimming near schooling fish or seals.