A MAN found floating in a river in the United States was mistaken for a drowning victim - until he sat up.

A forensic team arrived to investigate the "drowning" including Lycoming County Coroner Charles E. Kiessling Jr. While authorities decided on the best means to retrieve the body, something no one imagined happened.

The "dead" body sat up.

Turns out Joseph 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 he needed help.

"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.

DeAngelo says he had no idea what was going around him until a dragonfly landed on his nose. Then he sat up. He apologised for the confusion, but says he was living life the best way he knows how.

Watch The Video Of How It Happened.