Woman Sinks Waist-Deep in Quicksand at Popham Beach State Park, Maine

Quicksand scare at Popham Beach State Park in Maine as woman sinks waist-deep in sand

A woman taking a stroll on a popular beach was given a Hollywood-style shock of her life – quicksand. Jamie Acord was enjoying an innocent walk by the water’s edge at Popham Beach State Park in Phippsburg, Maine, when, in the blink of an eye, she found herself waist-deep in sand, let out a surprised yell, and exclaimed to her husband, “I can’t get out!” She said: “I couldn’t feel the bottom. I couldn’t find my footing.”

Her spouse sprang into action within seconds and pulled her from the sandy snare. The hole filled with sand immediately after, leaving the couple somewhat puzzled and wondering what had just happened.

Quicksand, also known as supersaturated sand, is a phenomenon worldwide and not just a cinematic trope designed to add a touch of dramatism by trapping actors, even in places as far removed from tropical jungle locations as Maine. Thankfully, reality isn’t quite as terrifying as what we see portrayed on the screen.

The incident was brought to public attention when Acord shared her harrowing experience on social media following the event last Saturday. While walking on the beach with her husband Patrick, Acord, who was busy collecting trash, suddenly found herself sinking into the softened sand.

According to Jim Britt, spokesperson for the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, people caught in supersaturated sand will float. Contrary to common belief, humans don’t sink in quicksand, which allows them to float and wiggle themselves to safety. “People hear the word quicksand they think jungle movie. The reality with this supersaturated sand is you’re not going to go under,” he reassured.

At the state’s busiest state park beach, which attracts over 225,000 visitors annually, climate change has been identified as a contributing factor. Britt explained that a series of winter storms altered the course of a river flowing into the ocean, leading to softer sand in areas frequented by beachgoers, prompting park staff to put up warning signs.

The ordeal unfolded so quickly that Acord didn’t have time to feel scared, but she expressed concern about the potential impact on others, particularly children. “A kid would be scared,” she remarked, highlighting the distressing nature of such an unexpected situation. Getting trapped in quicksand can lead to drowning as tides come in or river levels rise.

In December last year, a man, his daughter, and three grandchildren drowned “hugging each other” in a river after being swallowed by quicksand. The tragedy took place as the family members collected sand to renovate their house. After they failed to return home, other relatives went to the scene and found their parked vehicle but no trace of their missing loved ones.