POLICE investigating the River Usk crash which claimed the lives of four Newport men are appealing for the driver of a third car to come forward.

Officers have interviewed one motorist, who was overtaken by the Volkswagen Polo just moments before Sunday's crash.

Now they are keen to trace the driver of a third vehicle heading the opposite way to the Polo - toward the Beaufort Road junction from Caerleon bridge on the B4596.

Police say it is possible driver Leighton Pring, 22, was overtaking one car when he swerved to avoid another vehicle coming toward him, and left the road.

Friends Martin Biggs, Anthony Hill and Matthew Reardon also lost their lives in the tragedy.

Matthew Reardon's brother, Kristian, survived the crash and is helping police piece together what happened.

Police will also question regulars at the St Julians and the Drover's Arms pubs in an attempt to reconstruct the events leading up to the fatal accident.

Chief Inspector Peter Fouweather said there had been a good response to appeals for information.

He added: "The media have assisted this inquiry greatly and as a direct result of publicity we have been able to speak to the driver we appealed to who may well be a key witness."

Anyone with information can contact police on 01633 383111.

* Gwent coroner David Bowen yesterday released the bodies after opening and adjourning the inquest to March.

* The funerals of Mr Biggs and Mr Reardon take place on December 27 at St Patrick's RC Church, Cromwell Road, at 2.15pm, followed by cremation at Gwent Crematorium.

The funeral of Mr Pring was to take place at St John's Church, Maindee, today. Mr Hill's funeral is tomorrow at St Julian's Methodist Church at 10.45am, followed by burial at Danygraig Cemetery, Risca.