Sand dune that trapped boy remains closed after 3 years

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - A park spokesman says a popular sand dune along Lake Michigan will remain closed this summer as scientists work to determine why a 6-year-old boy was nearly buried alive in 2013.

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore spokesman Bruce Rowe says scientists have been studying Mount Baldy, a dune near Michigan City that is more than 120 feet tall. He says their work isn't expected to finish until fall, so the dune cannot be opened to the public this summer. Other parts of the lakeshore will be open.

The scientists are trying to work out why a hole appeared, trapping Nathan Woessner of Sterling, Illinois, for more than three hours under 11 feet of sand. He recovered after being hospitalized for about two weeks.

Nathan Woessner The Woessner Family

Nathan's mom, Faith Woessner told CBS News she witnessed "God's miracle."

Faith and Greg Woessner recalled the harrowing search in the sand of the Indiana dunes when, on a camping vacation, Nathan simply vanished into a stovepipe sinkhole as he walked alongside his friend 8-year-old Colin Karrow.

Boy buried in sand dune starts first grade, family speaks

Faith Woessner said, "When Colin came down the hill, I'll never forget the look on his face and the sound of his voice. I knew something was very, very wrong."

"There was a sense of calmness over me that kept me focused on exactly what needed to be done," Greg Woessner added.

One by one, friends, strangers, park rangers and heavy equipment operators joined the dig. The coroner was there as well. Greg Woessner said, "We were prepared for the worst. ... One way or another he was coming home with us."

The Woesnners had left the site and were at a nearby police station when word came that the boy had been found and was in the hospital -- and breathing. They rushed to his side. Faith Woessner said, "Just being there with him and touching him and feeling him and kissing him. That's all I wanted to do was just touch him and hold him."

His recovery has been nothing short of amazing. Faith Woesnner said, "He's exactly the same as he was before."

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