Quicksand Spotted on Maine Beach, Tourists Trapped

A woman enjoying a beach walk in Maine suddenly discovered that quicksand is not just a scenario in Hollywood jungle movies.

Jamie Acord recently found herself sinking into quicksand up to her waist while strolling at Popham Beach State Park. She screamed in fear, “I can’t get out!”

Luckily, within seconds, her husband pulled her out of the sandpit. The sand quickly filled the hole, leaving the couple stunned.

This type of quicksand is known as “oversaturated sand.” Hollywood movies often depict actors getting stuck in it. However, oversaturated sand is not exclusive to jungles but can be found in Maine and various places globally.

In reality, oversaturated sand is not as deadly as portrayed in movies. Jim Britt, a spokesperson for the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, told media that people trapped in oversaturated sand can usually maintain buoyancy, preventing them from sinking entirely and giving them a chance to float to the surface and escape the situation.

Britt explained that a series of winter storms had altered the flow of a river channel feeding into the ocean, causing the sand on the beach to become softer. This area happens to be at one of Maine’s most popular state park beaches, attracting over 225,000 visitors annually. He emphasized the need for park staff to install warning signs in the area.

The incident took place on June 1. Acord expressed concern that if someone visited the beach alone, especially if a child encountered this situation, they might experience extreme fear.