Man survives plummeting down side of mountain in car

PASADENA, Calif. -- A college student who became trapped in the Angeles National Forest for more than a day after his car plummeted down the side of a mountain has made a miraculous recovery.

Abraham Perez, 21, left for class at Pasadena City College on Monday morning, but did not come home. His friends and family posted on Facebook asking for help after learning of his disappearance. 

But for more than 24 hours, no one knew Perez was trapped inside of his vehicle, which had flipped over on Angeles Crest Highway, and plunged down a 75-foot ravine.

Eventually, county road workers spotted his car and called it in. A Los Angeles County sheriff's rescue helicopter pulled Perez to safety, but he did not remember what happened. 

A Los Angeles County sheriff's rescue helicopter pulled Perez to safety, but he did not remember what happened. CBS Los Angeles

CBS Los Angeles spoke with Perez's parents about their tearful reunion.   

"Thank you to all of those who helped my son and brought him back," said his mother, Anabella Jones. "If it wasn't for them, I don't know what could have happened to him."

Perez was put in an intensive care unit being treated for broken bones and brain trauma.

His doctors say he will get better in time.

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