CRASH VICTIMS ARRIVE IN VALLEY.

Byline: - Orith Goldberg

SHERMAN OAKS - Following a 17-hour flight from Taiwan to LAX, two burn victims from the crash of Singapore Airlines Flight 006 boarded a helicopter for a short trip to the Grossman Burn Center on Friday night.

Christina Reed, a 26-year-old from Rosamond, and David Ralph, 54, of Lancaster, were admitted to the hospital with burns over 15 percent of their bodies.

``I think they're both amazed and grateful to be alive at this point,'' said Dr. Peter Grossman, a surgeon at the burn center. ``They are, all things considered, in good spirits.''

Reed was able to walk from the helicopter, clutching a gray teddy bear. Ralph was laid on a gurney, his bandaged arms folded over him. About 30 friends and family members were at the Sherman Oaks burn center to greet the two.

Ralph was admitted to the hospital in serious condition with third-degree burns on both of his hands and arms and his right leg, and second-degree burns to his face. Reed, who was admitted in fair condition, suffered second- to third-degree burns to her face, ears, arms and hands.

Both patients are expected to undergo surgery Monday, Grossman said. They'll be hospitalized for at least two weeks.

Ralph and Reed, administrators for the Antelope Valley Christian School, were returning from a business trip to Taiwan and were seated one behind the other for the flight to Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday.

The jet taxied onto the wrong runway in Taipei, Taiwan, on Tuesday night during a storm and slammed into construction equipment during takeoff. Authorities say 81 people died.

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Medical staffers from the Grossman Burn Center in Sherman Oaks transport a survivor of the Taiwan jet crash who was flown in by helicopter from LAX on Friday.

Eric Grigorian/Special to the Daily News