A GWENT man suffered back injuries when his car overturned in a hit-and-run collision in Newport yesterday.

The victim, thought to be in his 30s and from the Newport area, was driving a blue Ford Escort at the roundabout by the Texaco garage on the approach to the Royal Gwent Hospital at around 4.30pm when the smash occurred.

Police say another vehicle - which eye-witnesses believe was a Saab Turbo - failed to stop at the roundabout and went into the back of the Escort, before driving off without stopping.

Two fire crews cut the injured man free from his Escort. He was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital complaining of neck and back pains but was not seriously injured.

A Gwent Police spokesman told the Argus the incident was being treated as a hit-and-run.

He added: "The car was on the roundabout when another vehicle appears to have collided into it after failing to stop at the roundabout. The driver did not stop and drove off."

A Texaco garage cashier who witnessed the incident said: "As it came to the roundabout I could see smoke coming out of its tyres - they were obviously burning. "The car collided with an Escort which was going around the roundabout."

The witness, who asked not to be named, said the driver, who appeared to be in his 20s, emerged from the car with a bloodstained head.

"He got out the car and his head was bleeding. After a quick look around he drove off," he added.

*PICTURED: The crash scene near the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport.