Boy Buried in Indiana Sand Dune Returns Home

Nathan Woessner was buried under 11 feet of sand for three hours

Nathan Woessner has returned home two weeks after he fell into a sinkhole and became trapped for hours at the Indiana Dunes.

The 6-year-old boy was discharged from La Rabida Children’s Hospital Friday morning after being transferred there last Tuesday from the University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital.

"Nathan received rehabilitative care while at La Rabida, including physical, occupational and speech therapy," spokeswoman Marilyn Williams said. "He was seen for issues with balance, gait and memory. Nathan will return to La Rabida at a later date to continue rehabilitative work."

Williams said Woessner "has been doing well and is able to bathe himself, brush his own teeth and walk independently."

Woessner's condition was upgraded last week and he was transferred from Comer Children’s Hospital's intensive care unit to a general pediatric medicine unit.

“He is eating well, is active and continues to improve," Dr. Barrett Fromme said. "The staples used to close a laceration on the back of his head will be removed today."

In a home video sent to NBC's "Today" Show over the weekend, Woessner said the best part of being home is seeing his family.

Woessner's parents told the "Today" show last week their son has been getting up, moving around and even made a trip down the hall at Comer Children's Hospital on Sunday.

On July 12, Woesnner fell into a sink hole at Mt. Baldy in Michigan City, Ind. His grandfather said Woesnner fell into the sink hole around 4 p.m. while walking with his dad, an adult friend of the family and another boy. 

Last Week Woessner was upgraded to serious condition after being told by doctors he may be able to leave the hospital after 10-14 days.

The Mount Baldy area at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore will remain closed indefinitely following the accident.

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