CHICAGO — A 6-year-old boy who was buried alive in a sand dune in Indiana remains in critical condition late Saturday afternoon at the University of Chicago's Comer Children's Hospital, officials said.
The boy was with his family along the Indiana Dunes National Shore Line on Lake Michigan Friday when he reportedly fell into an 11-foot hole, which collapsed over him.
It took emergency workers three hours to unbury him. But he appeared to be breathing when he was found.
He was rushed to a local hospital and was later taken to Comer Children's Hospital.
At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, the hospital issued a statement saying the boy was still in critical condition.
Earlier, the hospital said the boy was responsive.
"The University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital does have the 6-year-old boy from the [Lake] Michigan incident," hospital spokeswoman Lorna Wong said in an email. "He is listed in critical condition, but when he arrived he was able to respond to simple commands and he has responded well to mechanical ventilation."
She said his family was grateful to emergency personnel.
"His parents want to extend their deepest thanks to the Michigan City fire and police departments and all the authorities, private companies and individuals who contributed to the rescue effort. They also ask that people include this little boy in their prayers."
