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Long Island Doctor Who Was Lost In The Woods For Days Is Released From Hospital

STONY BROOK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - A retired Long Island doctor who was found in the woods days after a fly-fishing trip in Caleb Smith State Park Reserve has been released from the hospital.

Dr. Jerome Nadler was reported missing after setting off for a Labor Day fishing trip. The 76-year-old from East Setauket was found by a Suffolk County Police dog in a heavily wooded area of the park three days later.

WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reports

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Nadler was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital in serious condition.

"The only few things I remember while I was very dehydrated was it had rained twice. I put my hands around my mouth and tried to collect as much rain water as possible," Nadler told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall.

There had been questions about why Nadler was unable to find his way out of the woods. The doctor said he became dazed and confused because he was dehydrated.

"For four days, I was in la la land," Nadler said.

Police said when they rescued Nadler, he was covered in bug bites and was scraped up.

"The terrain was easier in Vietnam than it was it was in that park because of the thorn-like shrubs that were all over the place and caused horrible cuts and scratches," Nadler told Hall.

Nadler thanked the hospital, the police and his rabbi as he left Stony Brook Hospital.

Chase, the police dog that found Nadler, was named K-9 of the Year by the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty.

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