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FIVE-foot shark was spotted swimming in a river in the Essex countryside by a godsmacked walker after it had drifted 10 miles inland by a tide.
The starry smooth-hound shark was spotted in a sluice on the River Stour, near Suffolk on Sunday afternoon, by walker Jody Gribbons and his father Gary.
The online marketing executive, 27, started filming the sea creature thinking it was a big coarse and realised it was a shark after spotting its fin.
The online marketing executive, 27, started filming the sea creature thinking it was a big coarse and realised it was a shark after spotting its fin.
Continue after the break.
Mr Gribbons altered the RSPCA, who said the shark was non-threatening to humans, while crowds gathered round the ususual sight.
"We were probably there for an hour looking at it. We didn't expect something like that to be there.
"I went back at around 5pm and it was still there because the tide had gone out and left it stuck in the sluice.
The starry smooth-hound shark was spotted in a sluice on the River Stour (PIC: SWNS.COM)
We were probably there for an hour looking at it. We didn't expect something like that to be thereJody Gribbons
"We rang the RSPCA and the environment agency but I think the tide came back in and it was able to escape back out to sea." He added: "I've heard of seals and stuff coming up the river but I have never seen a shark or heard of anything like a shark being stuck there.
"I've been swimming in that river before and would definitely think twice now about going back into the water."
A shifting tide had drifted the shark into the Cattawade Sluice but it managed to escape into the sea the following morning.
The starry smooth hound sharks, which are identified by white star like spots on its back, can grow up to 5ft 3 inches and weight over 30 pounds.
"I've been swimming in that river before and would definitely think twice now about going back into the water."
A shifting tide had drifted the shark into the Cattawade Sluice but it managed to escape into the sea the following morning.
The starry smooth hound sharks, which are identified by white star like spots on its back, can grow up to 5ft 3 inches and weight over 30 pounds.
Aerial view of the Cattawade Sluice where Jody Gibbons filmed a 5 foot shark
The creatures are invariably found in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean but there are regular sightings off the British cost.
The sharks have blunt teeth and feed on crabs and are not believed to be dangerous to humas.
Ali Hood, director of conservation at the Shark Trust, said: "The shark does not pose a threat in its natural environment but trapped in a confined space it is likely disorientated and under some stress.
"Like any wild animal they deserve to be given both space and respect."
The sharks have blunt teeth and feed on crabs and are not believed to be dangerous to humas.
Ali Hood, director of conservation at the Shark Trust, said: "The shark does not pose a threat in its natural environment but trapped in a confined space it is likely disorientated and under some stress.
"Like any wild animal they deserve to be given both space and respect."
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