INVESTIGATIONS are continuing into a Newport car crash which claimed the life of one young man and left another seriously injured.

Twenty-year-old passenger Glyn Gurney, of Elaine Crescent, Newport, died after a Volkswagen Golf collided with the central reservation on the A4042.

Specialists from the Traffic Research Laboratories (TRL) have been called in to offer advice on what Superintendent Roger Morgan described as an "unusual collision".

"The barrier came away on impact and wrapped round the vehicle," said Supt Morgan. "We are seeking to establish a cause of death. A section of barrier had to be removed, along with the vehicle in the collision.

"On the advice of Gwent Consultancy the road was kept closed while the scene was investigated and the barrier removed."

Chief Inspector Simon Prince said TRL were world-wide experts who could shed more light on the collision.

"If there's any concern about the safety of the stretch of road itself then that will be made known at the earliest time."

He did not know when any report on findings will be made.

The accident happened just after 1.30am last Friday as the car travelled towards Newport between the Croes-y-Mywalch and Grove Park roundabouts. Emergency services, including two fire engines, one special rescue tender and two ambulances, were called to the scene and worked to free the two people trapped in the wreckage.

No other vehicle was believed to be involved. The driver suffered a broken pelvis and was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, but has since been discharged. Following the collision the road was closed for 20 hours, to allow accident examiners to investigate the scene, causing traffic chaos.

Chief Inspector Prince agreed the road was closed for a long time but said it was unavoidable, to ensure proper recording of the scene and the removal of all evidence.