The family of a 58-year-old man who died after a crash in Carlisle says they have suffered their "darkest day".

A tribute to Michael James from his family has been released by Cumbria police.

He died following a collision outside the city's Pirelli tyre factory, on Dalston Road, where Mr James had worked for 35 years.

The tribute said: "Today is the darkest day we have had to face as a family. Following a tragic accident, we have lost a loving and caring family man with traditional values, morals and standards.

"Michael was brought up in Carlisle, studied at Morton School and worked for Pirelli for 35 years.

"He was a fanatic of keeping fit and loved to run and cycle and spent many hours on the hills surrounding Cumbria.

"He selflessly put others before himself and will be sorely missed by his wife Gill, daughters Hannah and Molly and his many family members and friends.

"We would also like to extend our thoughts and prayers to the other parties involved and wish them a speedy recovery."

Yesterday's crash happened just yards from the factory.

Mr James, from Carlisle, was driving a Ford Fiesta car which was in collision with four pedestrians on Dalston Road shortly before 6pm.

One pedestrian, a 16-year-old male from Carlisle, was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle where his condition this morning has been described as stable.

He suffered serious leg injuries, a police spokesman said.

The three other young pedestrians - two aged 17 and a 16-year-old - sustained minor injuries and were taken to the Cumberland Infirmary. They are all from Carlisle.

A 27-year-old city woman who was a passenger in the car also received medical attention for minor injuries.

Dalston Road was closed to traffic between Peter Lane and Richardson Street and traffic was diverted.

Emergency response doctors from Penrith with BEEP, Caldbeck and Brampton worked alongside paramedics in the resuscitation and treatment of casualties at the scene.

Dr Daniel Leach from BEEP/BASICS Cumbria said three emergency response doctors helped.

Police are appealing for anyone who saw the crash to contact them.

Sergeant Martin Bainbridge said: "This road is a busy route, one of the main thoroughfares. It is important that any witnesses come forward and give us their account of what they saw."

Witnesses are asked to contact police on 101.