MISSOULA – Family members of a Missoula soldier say he was critically injured by the blast of an improvised explosive device while serving in Afghanistan.
U.S. Army Pfc. Sam Helmer is being treated in a German hospital for injuries suffered Sunday.
Helmer’s wife, Amanda, says her husband has a concussion, a deep skull fracture, an eye injury and has extensive shrapnel wounds on the left side of his body, including his face, neck and chest.
Helmer’s father-in-law, Brian Becker, tells the Missoulian they’re having trouble learning the extent of Helmer’s injuries, but they know he has a breathing tube.
Helmer, who is 21, grew up in Stevensville and was living with his wife in Missoula before being deployed.