Mass. police: Shark sighting a practical joke

[August 27, 2010]  SOMERSET, Mass. (AP) -- A practical joker in Massachusetts has taken advantage of recent shark sightings and caused a scare with a fake fin.

Police say about 50 people were drawn to a Somerset, Mass., cove on Wednesday night after someone reported seeing a shark fin in the water. Police tell the Herald News of Fall River that several 911 calls came in to Somerset and Swansea police.

Responding officers soon realized that the "shark" was just a piece of Styrofoam cut into a fin shape, wrapped in gray duct tape and weighted down.

There was no word on who pulled the prank.

Several Massachusetts beaches have been closed this summer after shark sightings. Police cautioned that the joke could have caused a problem had there been a real emergency call.

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Information from: The Herald News, http://www.heraldnews.com/

[Associated Press]

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