2 sharks spotted swimming near shore at Long Island beach

OYSTER BAY, N.Y. (WPVI) -- Police confirmed that at least two sharks were swimming near the shore of a Long Island beach Thursday, after a lifeguard sounded an alarm of a possible shark in the water.

The initial sighting came just before noon from a lifeguard at Tobay Beach in the Town of Oyster Bay. The lifeguard saw a 4-5 foot shark and blew his whistle, prompting swimmers to get out of the water. Beach goers also reported seeing two sharks.

As a precaution, swimmers at adjacent Cedar and Overlook beaches were also told to evacuate the water.

Here is a photo posted to Instagram by someone on the beach at the time:

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Nassau County police scoped out the water from a helicopter, and confirmed that two 6-foot sharks were swimming about 15 feet from the shore just after noon. They were heading east in the water toward Gilgo Beach in Suffolk County.

A second sighting was reported about 90 minutes later with a 6-foot shark and a baby shark. Officials aren't sure if the 6-foot shark in the second sighting was one of the sharks in the earlier sighting.

Swimmers were allowed to return to the water at about 2 p.m.

About 2,000 people were estimated to be at the beach at the time.

No attacks on humans were reported.

A previous possible shark sighting happened at Overlook Beach back on July 2.