A MAN died yesterday after a crash between a car and a Newport city council bin lorry.

The accident happened at 12.30pm on a steep part of Barrack Hill between the junctions of Lambert Street and Power Street.

Gwent police's accident investigation unit was assessing the scene throughout the afternoon to establish the cause of the accident.

The driver of the car, a Vauxhall Corsa, was declared dead on arrival at the Royal Gwent Hospital. It is believed there were no passengers in his car and he has not yet been named.

The bottom part of Barrack Hill was closed to the public for several hours, causing traffic chaos on surrounding roads.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to come forward. Stephen Hopkins, a 42-year-old Falklands War veteran, heard the collision at his home in nearby Dos Road.

He said: "I was about 100 metres away and it sounded like a thud. I could tell it was the impact of two vehicles."

Mr Hopkins said two ambulances, two fire appliances and five police cars were at the scene.

He said the police were there for several hours taking measurements from the scene.

A Newport city council spokesman said: "We are aware that a refuse truck has been involved in a serious accident.

"We are working with the police and the Department of Transport on this very closely.

"The council has followed it's procedures for dealing with accidents and we are co-operating fully with police."

Police are appealing for anyone who saw the incident to contact the traffic unit at Gwent Police on 01633 838111.

FIREFIGHTERS freed a trapped driver early today after his articulated lorry went down at embankment on the A449 at Usk. The driver was not seriously injured in the accident which happened about 5am.