Rogue River Man Survives Helicopter Crash

One of the fire fighters who survived a helicopter crash in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest on Tuesday is Michael Brown from Rogue River. His friends and family are grateful he's alive.

Brown graduated from Rogue River High School two years ago. He went to work for the Ray's supermarket in town before working for Main Building Supply while completing his firefighter training.

Former co-workers say he was passionate about fire fighting. They say he's a good person who works hard and cares about others.

"He's a really nice young man; hard worker, cheerful, funny," says Karla Ratty, who worked with Brown at Ray's. "I just hope he gets better and our prayers are with him and his mom. And we just hope to see him again in the store with his smile."

A source close to the family says brown received injuries to his face but was not burned and that his condition has improved Thursday.

His mom and girlfriend are both with him at the University of California-Davis Medical Center in Sacramento.