July 12th 2024.
Jamie Acord and her husband were taking a peaceful stroll on the beautiful Popham Beach State Park when they encountered a terrifying situation. It was like something out of a movie, but not a romantic one. This was more like a horror movie.
As they walked along the edge of the water, Jamie suddenly sank into the sand up to her hips in a matter of seconds. Panicked, she cried out to her husband, Patrick, for help. Thankfully, he was quick to react and pulled her out of the sand before it could fill in the hole she had created.
The couple was both relieved and confused by what had just happened. Jamie explained, "I couldn't feel the bottom and I couldn't find my footing." It was later revealed that Jamie had fallen into a type of quicksand, known as supersaturated sand, which is different from the quicksand portrayed in movies.
In reality, people and animals who fall into quicksand do not sink to the bottom. Instead, they usually float and can maneuver their way out of the trap. According to a representative from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, this is because quicksand is denser than bodies.
Contrary to what is shown in movies, struggling and moving in quicksand will not cause a person to sink further. In fact, slow and deliberate movements can actually help loosen the quicksand's hold and make it easier to escape. It may take some time, but it is possible to get out of quicksand without any serious consequences.
The representative also stated, "People hear the word quicksand and they think of jungle movies. But with this supersaturated sand, you're not going to go under." This was a relief to Jamie and her husband, who had a scary experience but were thankfully unharmed.
Jamie shared her story on social media, warning others about the quicksand at Popham Beach. She explained that she had been picking up trash on the beach when she fell into the sand. She also mentioned that park rangers had received reports of the sand being like quicksand.
Had Jamie's husband not been there to pull her out, the situation could have been much worse. Jamie noted, "I fell in up to my hips, that's 2.5 feet. One minute I was there and the next I was not. I had to have him pull me out; I could not do it on my own." She also expressed concern for small children who could easily disappear into the quicksand.
It was later discovered that winter storms had caused a nearby river to change course and spill into the ocean, causing the sand at the beach to become softer. This resulted in the quicksand-like conditions that have been causing problems for visitors. The park has since put up warning signs to alert the over 225,000 visitors that come to the beach each year.
So, in case you ever find yourself in quicksand, remember to stay calm, lean back, and slowly maneuver your way out. And if you plan on visiting Popham Beach, make sure to watch out for any quicksand-like areas and heed the warning signs. Stay safe and enjoy the beautiful beach!
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