Edrik Gomez, a 2006 Coquille High School graduate, is one of seven firefighters who went missing in a helicopter crash Tuesday night near Junction City, Calif.

Family members of the 19-year-old were notified Wednesday that he is among the Grayback Forestry firefighters who have not been found. The Oregon firefighting contractor is based in Merlin.

A Sikorsky S-61N chopper had picked up Gomez and 10 fellow firemen, who were battling a blaze in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, when the rotorcraft crashed and burned. Other firefighters who remained on the ground helped rescue four people from the wreckage.

The third of four sons born to Juanita and Efrain Gomez of Coquille, Edrik and his family have been members of the Holy Name Catholic Church parish since 1994, said Father John McGuire.

For the full story, see tomorrow’s World.