A CWMBRAN man died after being involved in a collision with an ambulance answering a 999 call in Newport yesterday.

The incident happened on a light-controlled pelican crossing between the Riverfront theatre and arts centre and Newport Bus Station in Kingsway, the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust said.

The 50-year-old man, who has not yet been named, was treated at the scene by the ambulance crew, and taken in a second ambulance to the city's Royal Gwent Hospital.

He later died from his injuries. Police immediately launched an investigation into the incident, which happened at 1.18pm.

The first ambulance, which was on its way to a medical emergency, had its blue lights flashing, but was not using its siren at the time of the collision, an ambulance trust spokeswoman said.

A third ambulance was sent to deal with the original emergency call. The crew of the first ambulance was questioned at the scene by police and the area was closed while investigations took place.

The road was closed between the roundabout near the leisure centre and the roundabout at the castle while a specialist team spent two hours examining the scene, causing traffic chaos.

Sergeant Mark Smith, of the Roads Policing Unit, said: "We will be holding a full investigation. It is not known how the collision occurred and any witnesses should contact our investigation unit."

A witness at the scene, who did not want to be named, said: "I was just crossing over to go back to work when I heard a squeal of brakes and shouting. I looked behind me and the man was just lying there in a jumble.

"The two paramedics jumped out and they raced straight back to him. It all happened very quickly."

The ambulance was coming from Newport Ambulance Centre in Pill and had its blue lights flashing, but its siren was not on.

Both the police and ambulance service have launched investigations and the Health and Safety Executive has been informed.

Witnesses to the incident are asked to call Gwent Police Collision Investigation Unit on 01633 643091.