Local Marine injured in Afghanistan

(WWLP) - A local Marine is undergoing surgery in Germany Friday after being severely injured in Afghanistan earlier this week.

Sgt. Joshua Bouchard, who is 2001 graduate of Amherst Regional High School, was riding in a convoy when his unit was blown up by an improvised explosive device on Tuesday.

Friday afternoon the Amherst native was flown to Ramstein Air Base in Germany where he was being operated on, after losing one of his legs.

From her Granby home, Bouchard's family member told 22News her son is in serious condition and also suffered injuries to his other leg and possibly his spine.

The family is hoping Joshua's condition will stabilize so he can return for treatment in the United States.

The 26 year old has been in Afghanistan since April and enlisted in the Marines in 2004. He is stationed out of Camp Lejeune.

This was Sgt. Bouchard's first tour of duty in Afghanistan, after previously serving two successful tours in Iraq.