November 27, 1992. More than 50 police and fire rescuers combed the Nesconset area yesterday for 94-year-old Gus Friedrich until a firefighter discovered him almost unconscious in the woods about a 30-second walk behind the rest home he had wandered from Wednesday.
“When we first saw the body on the ground, we thought it was a pile of leaves because he was all bent over,” said Nesconset firefighter Ross Huffer. “He was soaking wet. He was ice-cold.”
Found about 1:30 p.m. behind the Olsen Rest Home, Friedrich was transported by helicopter to University Hospital at Stony Brook, where he was listed yesterday afternoon in critical condition. Firefighters said he was suffering from hypothermia. Friedrich was breathing when he was found, but his heart later stopped, according to the Nesconset Fire Department. Because of bruises and cuts on his body, rescuers believe he may have fallen.
“It absolutely floored all of us,” said George Olsen, who runs the home. He said he had searched the woods near the site as recently as 12:30 p.m. yesterday.
The hunt for Friedrich had intensified after police received a call Thanksgiving night that he was spotted near the waters of Lake Ronkonkoma.
Mr. Friedrich passed away later at the hospital.
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