THE family of a Royal Marine Commando from Worcester who was injured in a river ambush in Iraq in which a colleague died are awaiting his homecoming.

Kevin Jones, aged 25, received injuries to his leg from shrapnel during a gun battle with Iraqis at the weekend on the Al Faw Penisula in which Royal Marine Christopher Maddison was killed.

Kevin's father, Alan Jones, from Constance Road, said his son was taken by helicopter to a forward base hospital where he was treated and is now at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus where he is being processed before coming home.

The attack happened when a launch carrying troops at the top of the Al Faw peninsula came under a grenade and gunfire attack.

One Royal Marine was thrown into the river but was saved when a comrade dived in to rescue him.

Kevin, who serves with the 359 Royal Marine Assault Squadron, has been out in Iraq since the beginning of January. This is his third tour in the Gulf region.

He joined the Navy at the age of 19 and has been a Royal Marine for six years. He is based in Plymouth, attached to HMS Ocean.

Mr Jones described his son, who is a former student at Bishop Perowne High School, as being someone who is very proud of what he does.

"We are obviously concerned for him,'' "said Mr Jones. "Any parent would be worried - but it's his job and he is very good at it.

"We were told on Sunday night that Kevin had been involved in a skirmish with Iraqis and that along with some others he had been injured.

"But we are now looking forward to him coming home," he added.

Mr Jones said that an officer from the Royal Marines Commando Training Centre in Exmouth told him and his wife Shirley about Kevin's injury on Sunday night.

Mr Jones said he was very happy with the flow of information that was given out by the forces and he also expressed his thanks for the support the family has received.

"The family would like to thank friends, work colleagues and neighbours for their support.

"We would also like to send our condolences to the family of the Royal Marine who was killed."