A reported shark sighting at Glen Island Beach in New Rochelle prompted lifeguards to order a water evacuation over the weekend, though authorities say it remains unclear what was actually spotted.
Swimmers alerted the lifeguards of a shark fin they spotted near the shore around 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Glen Island Beach lifeguard Max Pitocci told News12 Westchester that once alerted, the lifeguards blew the whistles and ushered the swimmers out of the water without much panic. No injuries were reported.
Authorities and swimmers could not tell if the animal was actually a shark, and purported it was a stingray or a dolphin.
“It was never confirmed what it was, though there was a report of dolphins in Long Island Sound in the area,” said Westchester County Parks Director of Communications Laurie Sage.
Beachgoers were allowed to stay on the sand but were not allowed to go into the water for the rest of the afternoon on Sunday. Officials planned to re-open the water on Monday.
“The plan is to open waters to swimmers today,” Sage said. “Safety is always our first priority.”
