Maine officials are warning of quicksand-like sinkholes that could form at Popham Beach State Park, after a handful of people have gotten their legs stuck in them, according to CBS 13.
Sean Vaillencourt, who manages Popham Beach for the state Bureau of Parks and Land, told the station that the conditions were caused by a river heading into the coastal park changing course last fall, so that it now flows through the beach rather than around it. That has destabilized its sand enough that people can sink a couple feet into it.
“We haven’t had too many issues of it. A few people have stepped in and gone up to their knees or ankles or their waist. That’s pretty typical around any river mouth,” Vaillencourt said.
Popham Beach is located at the mouth of the Kennebec River.
Park officials will be posting signs warning of the sinkholes, according to CBS 13. They advise people not to panic if they sink into the sand, as a person’s weight distribution will prevent them from sinking deeper than their legs.
According to CBS 13, Vaillancourt recommended that people who are starting to sink lean forward or backward and try to spread out their arms and legs, then wriggle out or call for help.
