Man Fishing, Finds Brick of Powder, Snorts it, Dies.

A Merritt Island man died after a bizarre trip out on the water with his brother Wednesday.

Thomas Swindal, 53, was offshore on Marathon when he and his brother Kenneth discovered a brick of an unknown substance, possibly cocaine, floating in the water.

They ended up tossing the package into a bait well until a short time later, when Kenneth said he turned around and saw his brother snorting some of the substance.

Kenneth told investigators that about 90 minutes later, Thomas began running around the boat, throwing things into the water, including a cell phone and a VHF radio. Thomas also picked up knives, pliers and a gaff and removed the cowling from the engine, which fell overboard and sank, leaving the brothers stranded.

To avoid further dangers, Kenneth said he tossed all remaining sharp objects into the water, as well as the package of the mysterious substance.

Kenneth then climbed to the top of the boat to signal for help. A passing vessel picked the men up, and arrangements were made for paramedics to meet them at shore.

Thomas Swindal was rushed to Fishermen's Hospital, then transferred to South Miami Hospital, where he died on Thursday.

An autopsy was scheduled to determine the cause of death and perhaps the type of drug Swindal ingested.

-- (Information for this report came from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office news blog)

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