A MAN died and six people were seriously injured in a two-car crash near Newport yesterday.

The 24-year-old, from Newport, was pronounced dead at the scene after the Proton car he was travelling in was in collision with a Ford Granada on Magor Road, near Langstone, at 6.07pm.

Twenty-four firefighters cut free four people, who all live locally, from the wrecked vehicles.

Two other people were freed before the crews arrived from Maindee, Ely, Caldicot, Duffryn and Cwmbran, and the heavy rescue unit, with cutting equipment, arrived from Pontypridd.

A spokeswoman for the South Wales Fire Service said the four people trapped were freed from the cars by firefighters using hydraulic cutting equipment.

The heavy rescue unit remained on the scene until 11.30pm.

The B-road was closed for nearly six hours as rescuers worked to free those trapped, and accident investigators examined the area.

Inspector Mark Riley, of Gwent Police, said the road re-opened at 11.45pm.

Police said the six people suffered serious injuries and were taken by ambulance to Newport's Royal Gwent Hospital for treatment.

Newport city councillor David Atwell, who represents Langstone, told the Argus today: "This is a dreadful situation, on a Sunday afternoon when people are relaxing and enjoying themselves, for something like this to have happened.

"Somebody has now lost a loved one and there were so many injured in the accident - it is terrible."

Councillor Atwell said that Magor Road had been a concern to local people for some time.

"It is a very dangerous stretch of road. People have to come straight out of their drives on to the stretch of the road and they are worried.

"The road does come up at neighbourhood meetings, and for the people who live there it is very concerning."

Gwent Police are appealing for witnesses to contact them on 01633 838111, quoting log number 478 of June 15, 2003.