UPDATE: 9.00pm

A PERSON has died and another was left with life threatening injuries after this afternoon's crash on the A449 between Usk and Newport, police say.

Gwent Police said one person travelling in a van that had collided with a lorry at around 2.15pm this afternoon was pronounced dead at the scene.

Another person, also travelling in the van, has been taken to the University Hospital of Wales in  Cardiff where his injuries are described as life threatening.

The one occupant of the lorry suffered minor injuries and was also taken to hospital, Gwent Police said.

Officers had closed the road but the northbound carriageway has since reopened, while the southbound carriageway is expected to be reopened shortly.

Gwent Police would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the collision.

Witnesses should call 101 quoting log 229 09/09/13.

UPDATE: 5.33pm

Firecrews have left the scene but will be returning at around 7.30pm to finish freeing the remaining person from their vehicle.

They have not done so already to allow the police to investigate the scene.

The extent of the injuries is not yet known but the accident is said to be serious.

South Wales Fire and Rescue sent five fire engines: three from Malpas, one from Maindee and one from Usk.

UPDATE: 5.23pm

ONE person has been released from one of the vehicles and airlifted to hospital. Another person is still trapped.

UPDATE: 5.10pm

A diversion in operation for southbound traffic following the A449 crash. Drivers are advised to travel west on the A40 to Abergavenny, then south on the A4042. Northbound traffic is to travel vice-versa.

UPDATE: 3.15pm

The air ambulance was called to the scene of the collision and the northbound carriageway of A449 was also closed to allow it to land.

UPDATE: 2.30pm

PEOPLE are reported to be trapped in their vehicles after a crash on the A449 southbound between Usk and the Coldra in Newport.

The collsion was between a transit van and a lorry which was parked in a lay-by by the side of the road when the van crashed into it.

The crash has led to the A449 southbound being closed.

The South Wales Fire and Rescue service sent five fire engines, three from Malpas, one from Maindee and one from Usk.

The extent of any injuries is not yet known.