Myrtle Beach swimmers asked to clear water after shark spotted

MYRTLE BEACH (WTVD) -- Beachgoers near the Myrtle Beach State Park pier were asked to clear the water on Tuesday when a Blacktip reef shark was spotted swimming close to shore.

Nicki Welch-Hudson, who shot footage of the shark swimming near the pier, said lifeguards immediately jumped into action to get everyone out of the ocean.

Hudson is studying marine science at Coastal Carolina University so she was pretty excited to see this blacktip migrating north.

"Within minutes it was right in front of me and I was in awe," Hudson added.

Hudson said she posted the video not to spread panic but to raise awareness of the species.

"I'm hoping that tourists seeing the video will respect our oceans a little more. I heard lots of people on the beach attempting to say the shark wasn't dangerous, one man even said he would jump in and "punch the shark," that angered me of course"

The lifeguards were able to get everyone out of the water without causing widespread fear and Hudson thanked them for being so calm.