OSHA: No violations in man’s swan-related drowning

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration found no workplace violations in the April death of the 37-year-old Villa Park man who drowned near Des Plaines after authorities believe he was attacked by an aggressive swan.

Anthony Hensley drowned April 14 while checking on the swans his employer, North Barrington-based Knox Swan and Dog LLC, had provided the Bay Colony Condominiums in unincorporated Maine Township. The company supplies swans to keep geese away from ponds and lakes in housing complexes, corporate parks, municipal grounds and other properties.

Divers pulled Hensley’s body from a pond after witnesses saw him fall out of a kayak and was unable to swim to shore, according to Cook County sheriff’s police. Although witnesses did not see him fall into the water, investigators believe Hensley may have gotten too close to a swan or its nest and been attacked.

OSHA spokesman Scott Allen said the agency investigated the possibility of health and safety violations on the part of Hensley’s employer, but ultimately found none. OSHA has jurisdiction to investigate any workplace fatality and Hensley’s death was considered work-related, Allen said.

Hensley was married and had two daughters, aged 1 and 3 at the time of his death. Because Hensley died without life insurance, donations for the family were collected by the Steuerle Funeral Home in Villa Park.

A family friend, Charles Emery, said Hensley had worked for Knox Swan and Dog for 10 years and loved the outdoors-related job.

Representatives of Knox Swan and Dog could not be reached for comment Tuesday.