CALLS are being made for the speed limit to be reduced on a country road where a man suffered serious injuries in a car crash.

The man, who is in his forties and is believed to be from the Maesglas area of Newport, is in a critical condition at the University of Wales Hospital, Cardiff, after a collision on the Usk to Caerleon road on Friday.

As the Argus reported on Saturday, the man, who was driving a blue Mazda van, was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, and later transferred to Cardiff with life-threatening head injuries.

The driver and passenger of the other vehicle, a blue Mazda car, were treated for less serious injuries at the Royal Gwent.

The accident happened less than a mile from the Cwrt Bleddyn Hotel, near Llangybi.

Police closed much of the Usk to Caerleon Road from 4.30pm to midnight, causing long traffic delays in and around both towns.

Resident John Humphries, 66, was driving behind the van and witnessed the accident.

The former newspaper editor, who lives less than a mile from the crash scene, said: "This was one of the most serious accidents I have ever seen. It was horrific. I was just behind the van - two seconds later it could have been me."

Mr Humphries and others tried to help the van driver from his vehicle, but could not get him out.

He said he has campaigned for the 60mph limit to be cut to 40.

"How many people have got to be seriously hurt or killed before anything is done?" said Mr Humphries.

Sergeant Martin Wilce, leading the investigation into the crash, said: "It is too early to say if speed is a factor in the accident.

"What we do know is that one vehicle went out of control on the bend and hit another. The bend has had accidents before, including one fatal accident a few years ago."

Councillor Val Smith, who represents the Llanbadoc ward, said: "The whole length from Caerleon to Little Mill should be 40 mph."