Minnesota soldier seriously injured in Afghanistan

A Fridley, Minn., soldier who suffered serious injures in Afghanistan last weekend is being flown back to the U.S. for further treatment.

The mother of Spc. Matthew Birr, 19, says he was hit in the head by shrapnel Sunday after a rocket-propelled grenade blew up near his barracks in Kabul.

Frieda Birr says the shrapnel hit Matthew in the back of his head, traveled through his skull and exited above his eye. She says her son was off duty and wasn't wearing his helmet.

Birr underwent three surgeries in Germany. He's listed in serious but stable condition.

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Birr, a graduate of Fridley Senior High School, was being flown to the U.S. Friday.

His father, Dean Wyman, says officials have told him his son will survive.

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Information from: WCCO-TV, http://www.wcco.com