AN ELDERLY woman died and a man is fighting for his life today after a hit-and-run crash in Crumlin.

Police say dog handlers and a helicopter were called out to search the area after the driver of one of the two cars involved left the scene of the accident in Kendon Hill last night.

Emergency services attended the crash on the B4251 shortly after 8pm.

The pair, were taken by ambulance to the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport where passenger Jean Alberta Daniels, 80, from Blaina, died. The driver, who has not been named, is still in a critical condition.

A police spokeswoman said: "The driver of the other vehicle made off from the scene on foot. Police dog handlers and the police helicopter were deployed to search the area."

Council workers helped to shut the road in both directions and it remained closed for several hours as scenes of crime officers examined the area and the vehicles were recovered.

Martin Jewczuk, 50, of Newbridge, was walking his dog when he saw the aftermath of the accident. "A red car was taken away on a lorry and there were police everywhere.

"The car was in a terrible state; it was unrecognisable."

The collision happened on a blind corner outside three cottages which stand alone on the road.

Mr Jewczuk said: "This road is very dangerous. It is a wonder something like this hasn't happened before. It is a horrible thing to happen."

Investigations are continuing into the circumstances surrounding the incident and Gwent Police have appealed for anyone with information to contact them on 01633 838111 or the collision investigation unit on 01633 643091.

* A 26-year-old man was arrested, at an address in Bargoed about an hour after the crash, on suspicion of failing to stop at the scene of a road traffic and theft of a vehicle.