Nathan Woessner, boy buried in sand at Indiana Dunes, discharged from hospital

July 24, 2013 (CHICAGO)

Nathan was released Tuesday afternoon. He will continue to receive rehabilitative therapy elsewhere for several days. Nathan's parents have asked for privacy as they focus on helping their child recover, the hospital said.

The little boy being called a miracle by some staffers is settling into LaRabida Children's Hospital. Nathan was transferred here yesterday for specialized rehabilitation. He was well enough to take photos at Comer Children's Hospital before he was discharged.

He suffered critical damage to his lungs from inhaling sand.

Woessner's family released two new pictures of the boy Monday. They show him walking down the hospital hall with his father and sleeping in his hospital bed.

"Nathan is listed as in good condition and continues to improve. He returns to a regular diet today and can leave his room to visit the playroom," Dr. Dana Mitchell, University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital, said through a statement Monday.

On Sunday, the boy's grandfather said Nathan may go home as early as the end of the week.

Woessner was buried in 11-feet of sand while climbing Mt. Baldy on July 12. His lungs were full of sand, and he was sedated while doctors tried to remove as much of it as possible from his body.

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