The Sun Herald
SAUCIER, Miss. — The U.S. Forest Service worker who survived Monday’s fatal crash in the De Soto National Forest was on temporary assignment from Montana when he escaped a burning helicopter that claimed two lives, including a Wiggins man.
Brendan Mullen is a member of the Helena National Forest helicopter crew and had been helping with controlled burns in the De Soto Forest since February, Helena district spokeswoman Kathy Bushnell said.
Bushnell said Mullen was burned in the crash and suffered broken bones but is expected to recover.
He remained in intensive care in serious condition Wednesday at the University of South Alabama Medical Center in Mobile, a hospital spokeswoman said.
How Mullen got out of the helicopter remains unclear.
The Bell 206 L1 crashed at 2:57 p.m. as crews were burning about 800 acres between Harrison and Stone counties.
Killed were Forest Service engineering technician Steve Cobb, 55, of Wiggins, and the pilot, Brandon Ricks, 40, of Blanchard, Okla. Their bodies were found in the helicopter.
Cobb was named engineering technician of the year in 2012 for 13 Southern states and Puerto Rico, said Gretta Boley, Forest Service national director for Mis
sissippi.
“He had a great attitude,” Boley said. “He only did his work one way, and that was right.”
Cobb, a 1983 graduate of Mississippi State University, began his career as a forestry technician on the Frambert Seed Orchard in the Black Creek Ranger district, which later became the De Soto district.
He is survived by his wife, Cynthia, a son, Adam, and daughter, Jenna Parsons. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Wiggins.
Steve Lee, acting deputy forest supervisor, said Cobb was “a colleague, a friend, an excellent worker and a joy to be around. I liked the way he was so involved in the community and the church.
“He flew in the front seat of the helicopter and conducted the fire pattern and determined how the fire would be ignited. He pretty much navigated the helicopter to ensure the prescribed burn was conducted as planned.”
Ricks was a pilot for T&M Aviation of Abbeville, La.
The National Transportation Safety Board finished its on-scene investigation Wednesday. The wreckage was removed for further investigation.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, in a written statement, said Cobb “gave his life in service to his country,” and offered prayers for the three men.
“On behalf of the United States Department of Agriculture, I thank them for risking their lives to protect us, our homes and natural resources.”
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