Woman rescued from quicksand during beach walk in Maine
A relaxing stroll on Popham Beach State Park turned into a near-tragedy for Jamie Acord. She was suddenly swallowed by quicksand. Experts suggest that climate change played a role in the incident.
Jamie Acord and her husband, Patrick, were enjoying a peaceful walk along the shore in Phippsburg, Maine, on June 1. That’s when the unexpected happened. While picking up trash, Jamie suddenly dropped waist-deep into quicksand.
“I just dropped like a rock,”
Jamie told WCSH-TV. The quicksand gripped her tightly. Thus, making it impossible for her to feel the bottom or find her footing. As the tide began to rise, Jamie screamed for help. As a result, Patrick quickly came to her rescue, pulling her free from the treacherous trap.
The incident unfolded so rapidly that Jamie didn’t have time to react.
“I couldn’t feel the ground with my feet. I couldn’t push myself out,” she recounted.
Patrick’s swift action prevented what could have been a catastrophic outcome. Once Jamie was safely out, the hole in the sand quickly refilled and vanished. Thus, leaving the couple in shock.
Following the frightening experience, Jamie shared her ordeal on social media to alert others about the potential dangers of quicksand at the popular beach. She emphasized the importance of awareness, especially for children who could be easily overwhelmed by such an incident.
“Had I been a small child, I would have disappeared into the hole. A kid would be scared,” she said.
Officials from the state park acknowledged that there have been sporadic reports of quicksand-like conditions, which may be exacerbated by climate change affecting the consistency of the sand. The phenomenon, though rare, has raised concerns about safety as shifting sands and rising sea levels could increase the frequency of such occurrences.
Jamie’s account serves as a critical reminder for beachgoers to stay vigilant and cautious while enjoying coastal areas. She concluded her warning by expressing relief over her narrow escape and the hope that her experience will prevent similar incidents in the future.
Source: News Center Maine
