Wiltshire Police are searching for the driver of the car which crashed in Melksham on Christmas Day, killing one man.

Rebaz Hussain, who is 27 and originally from Iraq, was taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath with abdominal injuries and later discharged.

Sgt Barrie Card of the Wiltshire Police Serious Collision Investigation Team (SCIT) said: “Following our initial enquiries we are now in a position to interview Mr Hussain as the driver of the vehicle.

“We are concerned that we have not been able to make contact with Mr Hussain following his discharge from the RUH. As a result we are now extremely keen to locate him.

“He is known to have lived at a number of addresses in Chippenham and Melksham over the past couple of years and to have worked at a fast food outlet in Melksham as well as hand car washes in both towns.

“We have visited all the known addresses and locations but friends and colleagues say he has not been seen since Christmas Day.

“We are now appealing for anyone who knows of his whereabouts, or who may be in contact with him, to get in touch with us.

“We would also appeal to Mr Hussain to make contact with us at the earliest opportunity.

“Anyone who saw the blue Audi A6, registration number FV02 UGU, and the five occupants in Chippenham town centre at around 3am on Christmas Day, or who then saw the car travelling from Chippenham to Melksham, is also asked to make contact.”

The car collided with the wall outside Cooper Tires at the junction of Old Broughton Road and Bath Road in Melksham at 3.33am.

He and his four passengers were taken by ambulance to the RUH. Shortly after arrival, one of the passengers, Nerijus Partikas, died from his injuries.

Another passenger, a 23-year-old man, was transferred from the RUH to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol with internal injuries. His condition is described as stable in the high dependency unit.

The other two passengers were treated at the RUH and discharged on Boxing Day.

A post mortem examination has taken place and an inquest was formally opened and adjourned by the Avon and Somerset Coroner.

Mr Partikas was originally from Lithuania where his family still live.

Sgt Card said: “A Wiltshire Police family liaison officer is in regular touch with the Lithuanian Embassy in London to ensure that the victim’s family are fully supported as they come to terms with their tragic loss.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Wiltshire Police on 101 and ask for the Serious Collision Investigation Team. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers UK anonymously on 0800 555 111.