POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a Newport man died and his teenage passenger was injured in a weekend car crash.

Michael Lee O'Reilly, aged 21, from Old Barn, St Julians, died after the red Renault 21 he was driving was in collision with a stationary Ford Escort in St Julians on Saturday night.

The accident happened on Beaufort Road outside St Julians Infants School and the Londis store just before 7.30pm.

Emergency services were on the scene in minutes and Mr O'Reilly and the 16-year-old passenger were taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital. Mr O'Reilly was pronounced dead on arrival.

The teenager was treated for minor cuts and abrasions and is understood to have since been discharged from hospital.

James Pollard, 15, from Constable Drive, St Julians, witnessed the crash.

He said: "My mate and I were walking down the road when Michael's car passed us and skidded.

"It then spun about three times, leaving the ground, and landed on its roof.

"The police were on the scene after about a minute and they tried to stabilise the car. "It wasn't long before an ambulance came but I left soon after because it was too much for me."

The tragic death has shocked the people of St Julians.

A close friend of Mr O'Reilly, David Bridgeman, 16, from Heather Road, St Julians, paid tribute to him, telling the Argus: "He was a really helpful friend who would do anything for anyone."

Another local, Nick Harris, 42, from Constable Drive, said: "He was a popular boy and everybody seemed to know him.

"I had met Michael a few times and thought he was a really quiet and decent boy." Gwent Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash to contact its traffic department at headquarters on 01633 838111.

The Renault was taken to a Newport garage where it was awaiting forensic examination yesterday.