PART of the A449 stayed shut for most of yesterday after a driver died in a devastating crash.

The 46-year-old man from Abergavenny was pronounced dead at the scene after his grey Peugeot 407 car was involved in what police said was a single vehicle crash on the southbound carriageway at around 8.35am.

The collision left a trail of destruction, with debris scattered across the road, causing shocked morning commuters to stop their cars.

The car appeared to have hit one of the large concrete blocks which weigh about a tonne and block off a slip road off the A449 to a road which was built ahead of the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Celtic Manor Resort in 2010.

The car then seemed to have flipped onto its roof and substantial damage had been caused to its front.

Five fire crews from Malpas, Maindee and Usk as well police attended the crash between Usk and Newport, closing the southbound carriageway to rush hour traffic while they dealt with the scene.

Fire crews freed the man but a police spokesman said he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Motorists were advised to avoid the road and around five litres of petrol was said to have spilled into the drains which the Environment Agency was dealing with.

A police spokesman, said: "Officers investigating the cause of the crash are appealing for anyone with any information or who may have seen the crash to contact the Collision Investigation Unit on 01633 642404."