Swimmer Mistaken For Drowning Victim Wakes Up, Surprises Authorities

Williamsport, PA — Joseph DeAngelo was just out for an afternoon nap, but the sight of him floating down the Susquehanna River near Williamsport caused alarm for Sue Hubberd, who called the cops, believing that DeAngelo had drowned.

Police, firefighters and a coroner were all called to she scene on the river bank and were debating on the best way to remove DeAngelo’s body when the man, sporting a life jacket, woke up and sat up in the water, reports The Huffington Post, leaving onlookers very startled. Lycoming County Coroner Charles E. Kiessling Jr. stated:

“Let me tell you, it was quite a shock for us. He was bobbing up and down in the water and he really looked like he was dead.”

WNEP notes that Hubbard remembered spotting the man in shallow water, face up in the river, just downstream from a spill-dam. Since the area has seen drownings before, Hubbard stated, “I saw him down there all by myself, second thought was oh my gosh.”

DeAngelo’s life vest puzzled authorities, who wondered how he could have gotten to that spot with a life vest on. For the floating man, however, it was one way to safely enjoy an afternoon nap in the Susquehanna River. Joseph DeAngelo stated, “I was out like a light, it was comfortable.”

The man was completely oblivious to the chaos around him during his river nap, until a dragonfly landed on his nose. He stated”

“It was like laying on a cloud. I looked up at the clouds and I was laying on a cloud, and it was a wonderful thing.”

Joseph DeAngelo apologized for startling everyone and causing such a ruckus, finding it strange that someone would think he was gone when he has been going to that part of the river for years to cool off and relax. He explained that he was simply living the best way he knew how, adding that:

“Enjoy life as you have it, that’s what I was doing. Sorry I hindered anybody, I’m going to enjoy it.”