A great white shark that got stranded on a Massachusetts beach is swimming free thanks to beachgoers who kept splashing water over its gills until rescuers arrived.
Bystanders kept their distance but worked to pour water over the gills of the massive predator, which washed up on ChathamSouthBeach on Monday.
The shark was apparently chasing a seagull when it landed at the feet of shocked beachgoers.
“We knew that it was in bad shape and we were trying to irrigate the gills to let the shark breathe and revive it and we had a period of time where it looked like it was not going to survive,” said one of the bystanders who was among those throwing buckets of water on the creature.
WATCH: Fearless holidaymakers rescue the great white shark (external link)
When rescue officials arrived the 7-foot male shark was motionless and struggling to breathe.
The rescuers were then filmed using a rope to support the shark and guide it about a mile out to sea.
Witnesses said there was a lot of cheering when the officials who guided the shark to safety let the tail go.
-- With inputs from Agencies
