The family of a soldier left fighting for life after he was hit by a car at a Royal Bermuda Regiment checkpoint thanked the public and the authorities for their support yesterday.

His family said Private Ndavyah Williams underwent several operations after he was airlifted to hospital in the United States last week and faced a “long road” ahead.

The 26-year-old’s family added: “Private Ndavyah Williams endured a six-hour operation within 24 hours of arriving in Boston and has received several additional operations since his arrival.

“Although he is recovering, it is expected that he will require additional surgeries in order to be able to walk without assistance. He has a long road back to normalcy.

“His family would like to thank everyone for their well wishes and their prayers during this time.”

Private Williams and colleague Private Kirk Wilks Jr were manning a curfew checkpoint on South Road in Devonshire on June 29 when the pair were hit by a car at about 11.15pm.

They were rushed to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Private Williams, the father of a one-year-old girl, had multiple injuries and was flown by air ambulance to Boston.

Private Wilks was treated for a broken leg and is recovering at home.

Private Williams’s family said: “We do not want anyone to forget the service that these two men, Private Williams and Private Wilks, provided to Bermuda and will continue to provide once they are fully healed.”

They added: “We would also like to encourage the soldiers on the scene that night to continue to receive support as we understand it is not easy for anyone to experience what they witnessed, not knowing if their fellow soldier would survive such an impact.”

The family statement added: “Many comments towards the men responsible for this incident suggest physical harm as punishment. This is not condoned by the family.

“We just want to see justice and remorse and for those responsible to know that their actions and the unfortunate choice they made that night have serious consequences.”

The family thanked the regiment and Wayne Caines, the former Minister of National Security, “for their support during this time”.

They also thanked Larry Calderone, a Boston police officer and president of the patrolmen’s division of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, who visited Private Williams in hospital.

The family said: “Encouraging words always help with healing and if anyone would like to send a message to Private Williams they can e-mail him at ndavyah94@gmail.com.”

Two men appeared in Magistrates’ Court last week charged in connection with the crash.

The case was adjourned until September 1.