AN INQUEST was due to be held today into the tragic deaths of four Newport men. Leighton Pring, 22, Anthony Hill, 35, Martin Biggs, 34, and 23-year-old Matthew Reardon died after their car plunged into the icy River Usk just before Christmas last year.

The Volkswagen car, driven by Mr Pring, left Caerleon Road, near the St Julian's pub, as the men returned from a pool match in Caerleon at 9.30pm on December 16.

Matthew's brother, Kristian, was the only survivor of the horrific accident. He managed to escape from the car and climbed up the steep 30ft embankment to raise the alarm at the St Julian's pub.

He was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital, suffering from shock and hypothermia. Rescue workers had to wait until after midnight before the water was low enough to allow police divers to retrieve the bodies of the four men from the car, which was found upside down on the river bed.

The men were all members of the pool team at the Carpenter's Arms in Maindee, Newport.

At the time of the accident, which stunned the local community, staff at the pub lowered the Welsh flag as a mark of respect.

Later, donations paid for a brass memorial plaque which was put up in the Carpenter's Arms.

A memorial stone has also recently been erected at the scene of the accident. Following the crash, thousands of people signed petitions supporting a campaign by the families for crash barriers at the place where the car left the road.

Jacqueline Hill, the mother of Anthony, a father of one, led the campaign on behalf of the grieving relatives. Newport MP Alan Howarth met Mrs Hill and pledged his support. Since the tragedy the families have also donated thousands of pounds to various charities, including river rescue organisation SARA.

The inquest hearing, held by Gwent coroner David Bowen, was due to be held in Usk.