THE family of a Newport student who died in a motorway car crash say they want to thank a mystery soldier who battled in vain to save his life.

Irfan Khan, 24, from Piltonvale, Malpas, died on Saturday morning when his Vauxhall Corsa car was in what police believe was a multiple collision on the M4 motorway between Bath and Bristol.

Mr Khan, who had been travelling back from London with a female companion, was thrown from his car and police believe he was then hit by a number of vehicles which did not stop.

Now his mother Assifa says she wants to thank a young soldier who helped her dying son.

She told the Argus: "We want to thank the man who stopped to help, a soldier who tried to start his heart going again.

"We would love to meet him just to thank him for trying to save my son." Mrs Khan added: "He was a great boy and a very kind person who never harmed anybody.

"Somebody that any mother or father would always hope to have as a son. "He never did anything wrong and he never got angry.

"I ask anyone who saw this to please, please come forward and tell me what happened to my son. It might save more young people's lives."

The young student's funeral was due to be held at 2pm today at Jammia Mosque, at the top of Commercial Road, and the family say anyone wishing to pay their respects is welcome regardless of their faith.

Mr Khan, who had already received a BSc in biochemistry and physiology from the University of Wales, Cardiff, had almost completed a Masters in computer science. He had just come back from a holiday in Amsterdam with friends and was looking for his first graduate job.

Pradip Kotecha, 42, (pictured) is the proprietor of A&P News in Newport Bus Station, where Mr Khan had worked since he was a teenager.

He is collecting money for flowers and tributes from customers who knew Mr Khan, and said: "Money is just pouring in.

"I am very close to the family - he played with my sons, we have been on holiday with him and all his brothers and sisters have worked here.

"He wanted to make his mother's dreams come true. I don't think anybody could fault him. It's shocking and everyone is devastated. There aren't enough words in the world to say how sorry I feel."

* Dewi Roberts, 50, is the head of the sixth form at Llantarnam Comprehensive, where Mr Khan had been head boy.

Mr Roberts said: "I worked very closely with Irfan when he was head boy here and we've stayed in close contact since he left. "He was an outstanding student and a remarkably able young man."

Neighbour and friend Mark Fennell, 23, dedicated his Cwmbran Ford team's five-a-side win on Sunday to Irfan Khan.

He said: "We all knew Irfan and grew up with him. Finding out about his death was a deep shock. He had his whole life ahead of him." Mr Khan leaves his mother, an older brother, Rizwan, and younger sisters Samina and Rozina.

Avon and Somerset Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash at 4am on Saturday between junctions 18 and 19 of the M4. They can be contacted on 01275 818181 or call Crimestoppers on 0500 888111.