[h=1]Moment 'dead' swimmer in river got up and walked towards the camera | Mail Online
Moment 'dead' swimmer in river got up and walked towards the camera[/h]By JAMES NYE
PUBLISHED: 17:17 EST, 11 August 2012 | UPDATED: 17:19 EST, 11 August 2012
It seemed that the reports of Joseph DeAngelo's death were greatly exaggerated after he rose 'from the dead' out of the Susquehana River in Pennsylvania.
Police and paramedics had been called to the Williamsport beauty spot to fish a dead body out of the river that had been spotted floating face up just below a spill-dam.
However, onlookers and emergency workers looked on in amazement as Mr. DeAngelo stood up, looked around at the commotion on the river-bank and sheepishly explained that he had in fact been sleeping all the time.
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Forensic officials and police discuss how best to extract the 'body' of Joseph DeAngelo from the waters of the Susquehana River in Pennslyvania
'I saw him down there all by myself, second thought was oh my gosh,' said Sue Hubbard who made the initial 911 call at around 12.30 p.m. on Thursday to report what looked like a lifeless body in the Susquehana.
After police forensic workers arrived, they prepared themselves to cordon off a crime scene.
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'He was bobbing up and down in the water and he really looked like he was dead,' said Lycoming County Coroner Charles E. Kiessling Jr. to the Sun Gazette.
However, without warning, Mr. DeAngelo stood up and surveyed the commotion on the river-bank and explained to the gathered officials and media that he had simply taken a nap and was far from dead.
Williamsport Police Captain Michael Orwig (second left) confers with members of the Lycoming County Coroner's office at the river's edge
'Let me tell you, it was quite a shock for us,' said Kiessling.
'This is the first time I've ever gotten to the scene and the person ended up being alive.'
Williamsport Police Captain Michael Orwig called the event 'a miracle' and onlooker Matthew Kranz said that 'all of a sudden he sat up, and apparently wasn't dead.'
Explaining his return from the dead, Mr. DeAngelo said that he often would travel to the river to cool off on an afternoon and would wear a life-vest to ensure his own safety.
Wait one-minute: Joseph DeAngelo is confused to see a large congregation at the river's edge after being woken up by a dragonfly sitting on his nose
Lazarus-like: Mr.DeAngelo walks to the river bank to see why the police and a crowd of onlookers have gathered
What's up officers?: Mr DeAngelo looks bemused as Williamsport Police Captain Michael Orwig praises the 'miracle'
Williamsport Police Captain Michael Orwig (left) and onlooker nlooker Matthew Kranz were pleased to have seen Mr. DeAngelo rise from the dead
A slightly philosophical Mr. DeAngelo explained that he was simply living life to the full
Admitting that he was totally unware of the trouble he had caused, Me DeAngelo said that he awoke from his peaceful slumber only when a dragonfly landed on his nose.
'I was out like a light, it was comfortable,' said Joseph DeAngelo to WNEP.
'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.'
Apologising for wasting everyone's time and causing any distress, Mr. DeAngelo said that he had been coming to the river for years to unwind.
'Enjoy life as you have it, that's what I was doing.
'Sorry I hindered anybody, I'm going to enjoy it.'
Read more: Moment 'dead' swimmer in river got up and walked towards the camera | Mail Online
Moment 'dead' swimmer in river got up and walked towards the camera[/h]By JAMES NYE
PUBLISHED: 17:17 EST, 11 August 2012 | UPDATED: 17:19 EST, 11 August 2012
It seemed that the reports of Joseph DeAngelo's death were greatly exaggerated after he rose 'from the dead' out of the Susquehana River in Pennsylvania.
Police and paramedics had been called to the Williamsport beauty spot to fish a dead body out of the river that had been spotted floating face up just below a spill-dam.
However, onlookers and emergency workers looked on in amazement as Mr. DeAngelo stood up, looked around at the commotion on the river-bank and sheepishly explained that he had in fact been sleeping all the time.
Scroll Down for Video
'I saw him down there all by myself, second thought was oh my gosh,' said Sue Hubbard who made the initial 911 call at around 12.30 p.m. on Thursday to report what looked like a lifeless body in the Susquehana.
After police forensic workers arrived, they prepared themselves to cordon off a crime scene.
[h=4]More...[/h]
'He was bobbing up and down in the water and he really looked like he was dead,' said Lycoming County Coroner Charles E. Kiessling Jr. to the Sun Gazette.
However, without warning, Mr. DeAngelo stood up and surveyed the commotion on the river-bank and explained to the gathered officials and media that he had simply taken a nap and was far from dead.
'Let me tell you, it was quite a shock for us,' said Kiessling.
'This is the first time I've ever gotten to the scene and the person ended up being alive.'
Williamsport Police Captain Michael Orwig called the event 'a miracle' and onlooker Matthew Kranz said that 'all of a sudden he sat up, and apparently wasn't dead.'
Explaining his return from the dead, Mr. DeAngelo said that he often would travel to the river to cool off on an afternoon and would wear a life-vest to ensure his own safety.
Wait one-minute: Joseph DeAngelo is confused to see a large congregation at the river's edge after being woken up by a dragonfly sitting on his nose
Williamsport Police Captain Michael Orwig (left) and onlooker nlooker Matthew Kranz were pleased to have seen Mr. DeAngelo rise from the dead
Admitting that he was totally unware of the trouble he had caused, Me DeAngelo said that he awoke from his peaceful slumber only when a dragonfly landed on his nose.
'I was out like a light, it was comfortable,' said Joseph DeAngelo to WNEP.
'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.'
Apologising for wasting everyone's time and causing any distress, Mr. DeAngelo said that he had been coming to the river for years to unwind.
'Enjoy life as you have it, that's what I was doing.
'Sorry I hindered anybody, I'm going to enjoy it.'
Read more: Moment 'dead' swimmer in river got up and walked towards the camera | Mail Online
