Joseph DeAngelo went to the Susquehanna River in Williamsport, Pennsylvania to take a summer's afternoon swim like many times before. Not long after he went into the water, Sue Hubbard saw his lifeless body bobbing near the shore. She immediately called police to report a drowning victim. DeAngelo was floating face up and authorities agreed with Hubbard. A forensic team arrived to investigate the drowning including Lycoming County Coroner Charles E. Kiessling Jr. People began speculating how he drowned since he was wearing a life jacket.
While authorities decided on the best means to retrieve the body, something no one imagined happened. DeAngelo sat up in the water startling everyone. "Let me tell you, it was quite a shock for us," Kiessling Jr. told the Sun-Gazette. "He was bobbing up and down in the water and he really looked like he was dead. I said, 'It's a miracle!'" Williamsport Police Captain Michael Orwig told WNEP.
Turns out DeAngelo was not a drowning victim but fell asleep while watching the clouds. He was unaware of the scene developing nearby. He was not that far off shore, and yet no one went out to check on him to see if help could be rendered. Even first responders assumed he drowned face up wearing a life-preserver. Why would anyone want to take a nap in the river? DeAngelo finds it relaxing. He awoke when a dragonfly landed on his face. DeAngelo apologized for wasting everyone's time. "Enjoy life as you have it," he said.
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