Man rescued from Lake Eola said he wanted to be with swans, police say

Man high on MDMA paddled swan boat to fountain, police say

ORLANDO, Fla. – A homeless man high on MDMA took a swan boat into the middle of Lake Eola to be with the swans "because they don't judge him," according to officials with the Orlando Police Department.

The 36-year-old man was found around 3:59 a.m. on Friday near the fountain in Lake Eola, screaming for help, the report said. 

Recommended Videos



After first responders rescued him, the man said he had taken a large quantity of MDMA, then took one of the swan-shaped paddle boats into the water.

He got off the swan boat and walked onto the fountain in the middle of the lake, but by the time he was ready to return to shore, the boat had floated off, according to authorities.

The man told police he sat down and started yelling for help when he realized he was stranded in the lake. He was wearing a life preserver, which he said he found on the swan boat.

Police said the man told them that he "wanted to go be with the swans because they don't judge him."


Recommended Videos