A Bermudian who is serving with US forces in Iraq has suffered head injuries after his patrol vehicle was deliberately run off the road by locals.

But Sgt. Jason DiGiacomo returned to patrol duty only three days after the incident, which left him with a gash in his forehead requiring eight stitches and several chipped teeth.

The 22-year-old's father Bob DiGiacomo described how his “mouth hit the floor” when he got a dreaded telephone call from the United States Army last Friday.

He and his wife Margaret were told of how his son's Humvee had flipped over several times after it lost control when a civilian vehicle attempted to force it off the road in the area of Ar Ramadi, 100 kilometres west of Baghdad.

The crash left all three occupants in need of medical treatment, with one soldier having to be flown out to Germany with a broken leg. Mr. DiGiacomo, himself a retired Major from the US Army Reserves, said he knew the injuries would have been worse if the soldiers had not been strapped in securely.

“My heart paused when we got the call. The army said it would have been worse if not for the seat belts though. I'm just glad I was the one who took the call, although in truth I'm probably just as strong and weak as my wife. He's our flesh and blood.”

Sixty US troops, as well as four from Britain, have died in Iraq since President George W. Bush declared major fighting was over on May 1.

Only yesterday a soldier was killed when his armoured personnel carrier hit a roadside bomb near Saddam Hussein's hometown, Tikrit.

Asked how he handled the relentless media reports of attacks on coalition forces, Mr. DiGiacomo said: “We just take it one day at a time. It's good to hear his voice though and we're relieved for the moment.”

Sgt. DiGiacomo, who was recently promoted from the rank of corporal, is attached to the Second Battalion of the Fifth Field Artillery - a group which although stationed in Oklahoma are supporting the Third Armored Cavalry Regiment based at Fort Carson in Colorado.

The family received a phone call from Sgt. DiGiacomo on Monday, which was his 22nd birthday, and he told them he was all right and that he was being released back into his unit.

“I could tell from the sound of his voice when I heard it that he had been through a stressful time. I know they're being sniped on, shot at and rocketed all the time. He's tough though and he grew up tough for a reason.”

It was also revealed that Sgt. DiGiacomo will stay in Iraq at least until next March.

“I hope it ends soon,” said his father. “I just hope that this doesn't turn out to be another Vietnam.”