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MUST SEE: Beachgoers helped rescue stranded shark

July 16, 2015 08:55 IST

A great white shark that got stranded on a Massachusetts beach is swimming free thanks to beachgoers who kept splashing water over its gills until rescuers arrived.

Beached: This great white shark became stuck on the shore of Cape Cod in Massachusetts after chasing after seagulls to eat on Monday

Bystanders kept their distance but worked to pour water over the gills of the massive predator, which washed up on ChathamSouthBeach on Monday.

The shark was apparently chasing a seagull when it landed at the feet of shocked beachgoers.

Helping hand: Seawater was thrown onto the shark to stop the animal from dehydrating

“We knew that it was in bad shape and we were trying to irrigate the gills to let the shark breathe and revive it and we had a period of time where it looked like it was not going to survive,” said one of the bystanders who was among those throwing buckets of water on the creature.

WATCH: Fearless holidaymakers rescue the great white shark (external link)

When rescue officials arrived the 7-foot male shark was motionless and struggling to breathe.

Rescue: The shark was dragged out into deeper water by the beat so it could swim away on its own

The rescuers were then filmed using a rope to support the shark and guide it about a mile out to sea.

Witnesses said there was a lot of cheering when the officials who guided the shark to safety let the tail go.

The 7-foot shark was dragged by rope attached to a boat driven by Dr. Greg Skomal of the Division of Marine Fisheries and Chatham Harbormaster Stuart Smith and freed one mile off shore

-- With inputs from Agencies