Police in Massachusetts had to call in a tow truck to remove the body of a large great white shark after it washed up on a beach in Cape Cod.
The Orleans Police Department took to social media to share the unusual incident which saw them called out to Nauset Beach.
“Not one of our typical calls for service,” they said.
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“But, as always, we answered the call.
Not one of our typical calls for service. Nor is it one for our local duty tow, Nauset Recovery. But, as always, we...
Posted by Orleans Police Department on Tuesday 15 October 2024
“Unfortunately, this giant was located washed up on the beach,” they said in a post alongside photos of the washed-up shark.
“You really never know what kind of call you’ll respond to on any given shift.
“At least Sgt Elliott only needed to follow the tow truck and didn’t have to wrestle an unruly Great White.”
According to the Cape Cod Chronicle, the shark was more than 12-foot long and weighed 1,240 pounds.
Speaking to the outlet, Tony Pike, safety director of Nauset Beach in Eastham, was the first person at the scene when the shark washed ashore.
“The difficulty with the tide, [the shark] was just staying in the surf-line just a little bit and then it would recede with the tide,” he said.
“It was difficult for the staff to get a line on it, particularly this time of year.”
He said that the cause of death was “not clearly evident”.
Medical examinations are set to be carried out on the animal to determine the cause of death.
Locals reacted to the news online, with a number noting how unusual the event was.
“That’s a first for this 46-year cape cod resident,” one said.
“In the 70’s and 80’s we use to camp on Nauset Beach way down to the end of it before it got washed away and never ever ever did we come across sharks and seals like today,” said another.
