POLICE are hunting the driver of a white Ford Transit van after a hit-and-run crash left a pedestrian in hospital with life threatening injuries.

Gwent Police say a 32-year-old man from Newport was seriously injured in the collision early on Saturday morning (February 17) on the A48 at Pwllmeyric Hill near Chepstow. The van reportedly hit a wall, causing part of it to collapse.

The accident blackspot was the scene of a five-car pile-up as recently as 12 months ago, while a man died after a vehicle hit a wall in 2005 and a teenage girl passenger was left critically injured in a crash in 2010.

A police spokesman said: "We are continuing to appeal for information following a serious road traffic collision on the A48 at Pwllmeyric, which occurred around 1.55am on Saturday, February 17.

"The vehicle involved left the scene. It is believed to be a white Ford Transit van.

"Gwent Police are appealing to the public for any information that may assist with identifying and locating this vehicle."

The victim, from Newport, is being treated at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, where his condition is described as critical.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting log 44 17/02/2018.

A stretch of the A48 was closed until after 9am while police carried out investigations, causing long traffic delays in and around Chepstow.

Councillors and police agreed to reduce the speed to 30mph on the Pwllmeyric stretch of the road last year, after several accidents, including fatalities.

Residents who campaigned to cut the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph said they were “taking their lives in their hands” when turning onto the road because of speeding cars.

Monmouthshire councillor Louise Brown (Shirenewton, Con) said at the time: “There was a nasty accident there just recently, involving a number of vehicles and we don’t want any more.

“Residents tell me they no longer feel safe crossing the road – even to go to the post box. Children have to cross to get the school bus to Chepstow Comprehensive.”