Witness appeal after man hit by van on A48
AMAN is fighting for his life in hospital after being hit by a van. John Conibeer is on a life support machine at University Hospital of Wales after he was involved in the Saturdaymorning collision with a Ford Transit van on the A48 near Pwllmeyric, Chepstow.
He was travelling from Chepstow to Newport when he was involved in an initial collision which saw the Honda vehicle he was travelling in hit a wall. When he stepped out of his vehicle to try to move it he was hit by a van.
A woman has been arrested in relation to the initial collision, while the driver of the van failed to stop at the scene.
The 32-year-old, of Liswerry in Newport, has suffered injuries to his kidneys, liver, ribs and bowels. His heartbroken dad, Anthony Conibeer, took to Facebook to ask social media users to share his post calling for people to contact the police with any details of the driver who left the scene.
The post has currently been shared more than 4,350 times.
He wrote: “My son is lying in an hospital bed. On a life support machine, damaged kidneys, liver, ribs, bowels having to be treated on the outside of his body, damage to his face, broke leg and a damaged hip.
“Please everybody in the Chepstow and Caldicot, Magor, Underwood, Penhow, Langstone or Wentwood area, and Bristol area keep an open for a transit with damage to the front and any garages who do body repair phone 101. Inform the police today.”
Mr Conibeer’s cousin, Robert James, said: “Our family are going through it at the moment, we’re so devastated, especially his mum, Carol, and his dad, Anthony, and we’re texting each other all the time. “Everybody is so, so upset. “I went there yesterday to see him but unfortunately I wasn’t able to because his condition was so critical at the time. He had been out for a meal and was on his way home when there was a crash. He got out and tried to push his car out of a ditch when he was hit. It has caused damage to his kidneys, liver, bowel, broken legs, hips and is on life support. He is still in an induced coma and they are slowly reducing his meds and his eyes have started twitching. He is still on life support and still on dialysis, it is right on the line at the moment – he could die, he could live.
“All we are hoping is someone knows someone who was driving the van and would encourage them to come forward to the police.”
A spokeswoman for Gwent Police said: “Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses following a collision on the A48 at Pwllmeyric, near Chepstow, which occurred at 1.55am, Saturday, February 17.
“During the incident a black Honda Civic collided with a wall. Following the collision, we believe a second vehicle, a Ford Transit van, unrelated to the first incident, has collided with an occupant of the first incident outside of the damaged black Honda Civic. A 32-year-old male from Newport was seriously injured and is currently receiving treatment at the Heath Hospital, Cardiff.
“The unidentified vehicle failed to stop at the scene. A female from the Newport area was arrested in relation to the initial collision and has been bailed to appear at court. The identity of the vehicle and driver involved in the subsequent collision are still unknown.”
Call 101 with information.