Helicopter Crash Victim Improving And Eager To Give Back

Doctors say the man severely burned in the news helicopter crash in Seattle Center two weeks ago is in serious but stable condition and improving.Richard Newman, 38, suffered burns over about 20 percent of his body and broken bones when the KOMO TV news helicopter crashed upon liftoff at Fisher Plaza into Newman's car.

The helicopter pilot and a KOMO cameraman were killed.

At a news conference at Harborview Medical Center, Newman’s husband Daniel Jung said Newman is in good spirits and feeling better every day after two burn graft surgeries. Jung said his husband is looking forward to getting back on his feet.

"He loves to garden. And he loves to play softball. He does a lot of outdoor activities. To have this type of injury and to not be able to do those things for a while is incredibly frustrating to him," Jung said.

Newman is also eager to return to work at the Public Health Seattle-King County STD clinic.

Jung said the accident has changed how his family thinks about giving back to society.

They already donated time and money to charities, but "just by seeing the outpouring of support that we received, I think, helped us realize that we need to do more to help others. That’s a big thing that we’re going to work on," Jung said.

Newman’s doctors said he may need a third surgery next week if the burn on his head doesn’t heal on its own.