Ambulance driver shot dead on his way to help bomb victims

US troops shot dead an ambulance driver while he was on his way to aid suicide bomb victims in Tikrit on Friday night.

The incident happened shortly after 7.30pm when a car laden with explosives was detonated on a bridge across the Tigris, close to US army headquarters and Ministry of Interior buildings.

As Iraqi paramedics raced to the scene, they came under fire from the guards at the base.

According to US military officials, soldiers fired a warning shot as the ambulance approached a roadblock position near the blast zone.

When it failed to stop, troops shot and killed the driver, fearing it was a follow-up attack. The passenger was wounded.

At least seven other people died in the attack an Iraqi police officer, an Iraqi soldier and five bystanders.

Another 19 Iraqis were wounded and taken to hospital. The extent of their injuries is unknown.

Initial unconfirmed reports said the explosion was so powerful it ripped a large hole in the bridge, which was targeted just weeks earlier by a similar bomb.

In the last month insurgents mounted at least 13 suicide attacks in the area. US officials insist the region is relatively safe and hold Tikrit up as an example of the progress they are making in bringing democracy and order to Iraq.