A local teacher’s son is in "satisfactory condition" at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, after being badly burned in combat in Afghanistan.

Chris Worl, a teacher at Myers Elementary School in Gainesville, plans to leave today to stay with her son, Army Sgt. Christopher Tonsmeire, in Texas through the end of the month as he recovers.

Worl said Tonsmeire will likely stay at the San Antonio Military Hospital for a minimum of three months.

"The Humvee that he was riding in was hit and there were diesel tanks in the back of the Humvee and they caught fire," she said. "In climbing out of the Humvee to get to the roof, he was burned."

She said two other people were injured, but no one involved was killed.

"I heard he was quite the hero and returned fire and rallied the whole group," she said.

Tonsmeire has second- and third-degree burns. He received medical care in Germany before being transported to the United States.

"He’s doing really well. They’re very pleased with his progress," Worl said. "He’s going to be fine."

Tonsmeire grew up in Tallahassee, Fla., and was on his second deployment to Afghanistan. He had been there for three weeks when he was injured.

"So many people have called and sent good wishes," Worl said. "All the well wishes are appreciated."