Streamer Under Fire After She Paid Stranger Who Can’t Swim $20 To Jump In Lake And Ran Away When She Cried For Help

A social media influencer has reportedly sparked outrage by convincing a woman who couldn't swim to jump into a Texas lake.

She then abandoned her when the woman began struggling and calling for help.

Streamer Natalie Reynolds is said to have paid the woman $20 to jump into the lake as part of a scavenger hunt she was livestreaming from Lady Bird Lake in Austin on Wednesday.

She was captured on video urging the woman to "just jump in."

Natalie Reynolds is accused of paying a stranger who can’t swim to jump in a lake as part of a scavenger hunt. Reddit / PublicFreakout

The situation took a turn for the worse when the woman actually leaped headfirst into the water.

"You said it was OK … you told me to jump in," the woman confronted Reynolds.

"No, I didn’t," Reynolds retorted, laughing it off and dismissing her friends who insisted she had indeed encouraged the woman.

However, the mood quickly shifted, and panic set in as the woman shouted from the water that she was unable to swim.

"I can’t swim, I can only float," she cried out, not visible in the frame.

The streamer told the woman to jump in. Reddit / PublicFreakout

Reynolds began to cry as her friends told her the situation was "really bad."

"Stop, seriously, you’re actually freaking me out," Reynolds said. 

"I’m going to f—ing kill myself. She says she’s drowning."

The video concluded with Reynolds and her group hastily driving away as a fire truck arrived on the scene, with the influencers visibly shaken.

The exact details of the incident are still somewhat murky, but the Austin Fire Department did confirm that they were dispatched to Lady Bird Lake to provide medical assistance and that a person was rescued from the water.

The condition of the woman and the specific medical assistance she required were not immediately known.

Earlier in the video, it was alleged that Reynolds offered the woman $20 to dive into the lake to retrieve something as part of a scavenger hunt she claimed to be participating in.

Reynolds has seemingly hit back at those criticizing her. Reddit / PublicFreakout

Both the Austin Fire Department and the Austin Police Department had not responded to requests for further information at the time of reporting.

In a subsequent stream, Reynolds defended her actions, stating she left because her team told her to and claimed it was the woman who had dared her to jump first.

Reynolds also dismissed the criticism, predicting that the incident would soon be forgotten.

On the platform X, she stated: "The lady wanted to swim, they told me to leave and stop filming that's why we left, and she got the help she needed and is fine. Stop dragging s***."

The stunt drew significant backlash online.

"Human scum," commented X user Colin Rugg.

Another user remarked, "People taking advantage of vulnerable individuals are the worst kind of people. Predatory behavior. For what? Likes? Clickbaits? Views!?"

"These unhinged, clout-chasing narcissists are a scourge on society," another commented.

"Attention culture is the worst. Society was arguably better with shame," one person added. 

While another noted, "Sickening! They do anything for clicks! Glad the girl was saved."

"Wow, that's pretty seriously disgusting and vile human behavior," another exclaimed.

Some even suggested that Reynolds should face legal consequences for her actions.

This isn't the first time Reynolds has faced public backlash; last December, she was criticized for filming herself wearing painted pants in a gym and ignoring a worker who told her to change and leave.