Family and friends are trying to cope today with the death of an Illinois man who drowned Saturday after getting attacked by the swans he was employed to take care of.
It was supposed to be a normal day for 37-year-old Anthony Hensley, who worked for a company that used swans and dogs to keep geese away from properties on a Des Plaines pond, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. But tragedy struck when two swans swam at Hensley's kayak, somehow causing him to roll off the vessel.
Hensley -- wearing boots and heavy clothing -- died trying to swim back to shore as horrified witnesses looked on, CBS reported.
"His kayak wasn't upside down, but it was, like, upwards," Daniel Gamanov told the station. "You could see the tip of it."
Hensley's death was ruled an accident, Fox News reported.
He leaves behind a wife and two children, who are reportedly so young they haven't yet been told that their father won't be coming home.
"He's going to be remembered as one of the most wonderful fathers in the world," said Hensley's brother-in-law, Tony Macri. "A very good father, a very good husband; there wasn't a mean bone in his body."
Hensley died without life insurance and a fund has been set up to help his family. Donations can be sent to Amy Hensley, c/o Steuerle Funeral Home, 350 S. Ardmore Ave., Villa Park, IL 60181.