Hundreds of swimmers fled to safety after a large shark was seen in the shallows of a popular Coromandel beach.
Matarangi Beach was left nearly deserted yesterday afternoon after locals spotted a large shark among swimmers close to the shore.
Matarangi Volunteer Rural Fire chief Stu Arnold said rather than risk a shark attack, a decision was made to warn everyone at the beach about the sighting.
![Matarangi Beach is left deserted after a large shark was spotted swimming in the shallows. Photo / FENZ Matarangi](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/E3XELIMNPLOWLAAFK5LPR6FQXQ.jpg?auth=41a2ee0771e8b00cd5cdcd3593ee93ffd077ffbeb8eb22b348f9529d6c150931&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)
"It's better to be safe than sorry.