Man 'relaxing' on mattress in Pa. bay rescued

[June 19, 2009]  ERIE, Pa. (AP) -- A man floating on an air mattress in a Lake Erie bay had to be rescued by the Coast Guard and was taken into custody by Erie, Pa., police.

Police said two boaters called 911 after a fisherman told them his friend was in the water. The Coast Guard crew pulled the man from Presque Isle Bay about 60 yards from shore at about 11:20 p.m. Tuesday.

The 49-year-old man wasn't hurt. The Coast Guard said he told rescuers that he had been "relaxing."

Police said Wednesday that the 49-year-old man was arrested on a warrant for failing to complete his probationary obligations on a theft conviction. He won't face charges for floating on the mattress.

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Information from: Erie Times-News, http://www.goerie.com/

[Associated Press]

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