Woman attempts to save shark which washed up on beach

The resident spotted the stranded fish, believed to be a blue shark, from her flat window overlooking Stonehaven Bay

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A woman attempted to save the life of a shark which washed up on a Scottish beach on Thursday.

The local spotted the stranded fish, thought to be a juvenile blue shark, from her flat window overlooking Stonehaven Bay at around 7.30am.

Initially she believed it was debris, however, on closer inspection it was clear that it was an animal. The concerned woman tried to re-float the shark twice but it kept beaching.

The blue shark is an open-ocean dwelling species that visits the seas around the UK during the summer months.

They are “relatively unaggressive” but very curious and are known to approach divers and spearfishers, especially if they have food.

The blue shark is responsible for thirteen unprovoked shark bites worldwide, according to the International Shark Attack File.

The incident has been reported to SMASS (Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme).

The resident said: “I initially thought it was flotsam. Saw it from about my window at about 7.30am, which looks onto the bay. Then saw what looked like a flipper/fin and realised it was an animal.

The shark was beached at Stonehaven Bay Facebook

“Ran out of my flat in my pyjamas and jacket. I was real surprised when I saw it was a shark. Got into the water to re-float it twice, but it was clearly dying and kept beaching.

“So left it and alerted the SMASS.”

SMASS has confirmed it is aware of the incident and is sending personnel to the location.