Harborview: Driver in helicopter crash is improving

A driver badly burned in Tuesday’s helicopter crash is improving.

Harborview Medical Center says 38-year-old Richard Newman is still in serious condition in Intensive Care, but he’s breathing on his own and he’s awake.

Newman’s car was hit by the burning helicopter Tuesday morning near the Seattle Center.

Spokesperson Susan Gregg says Newman will require surgery that hasn’t been planned for Wednesday. She says Newman is being treated for deep burns covering 20 percent of his body – on his back and arms.

He also has cuts on his head and a broken rib. It could take weeks to recover.

Gregg says you can send cards wishing Newman well through their email-a-patient section on their website.

Meanwhile, the NTSB has scheduled a 3 p.m. update on the investigation into the crash that killed a news photographer and pilot.