Last updated at 13:12, Thursday, 08 March 2012

Tributes have been paid to 'a real legend' who died after a car crash in west Cumbria yesterday.

James McKenzie

James McKenzie, 61, of Furness Road, Workington, died from injuries he received in the head-on smash on the town's Honister Drive shortly after 2pm.

He was driving a Ford Focus which was in a collision with a silver Volkswagen Golf.

The 35-year-old man who was driving the VW suffered injuries to his leg, neck and back.

He was taken to the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven, where he was today still receiving treatment for his injuries.

He has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Mr McKenzie's family said today: "He was a true gentleman, he loved his family to bits.

"He was just doing a message and never came home. He loved Wigan and Workington Town Rugby League. He was always there for everybody.

"A much loved husband, dad and granda. He was always life and soul of the party and always first on the karaoke. One in a million, he really was a legend.”

Three ambulances, two fire engines and two fire cars and up to 10 police cars attended the crash scene.

The road was blocked between Mason Street and Iredale Crescent for several hours. Police crash investigators made a detailed examination of the crash site, looking for clues which may explain how the tragedy happened.

A Cumbria police spokesman said: “The driver of the VW Golf, a 35-year-old male from Workington, also received injuries as a result of the collision and has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.”

Police are appealing for witneses to call PC John Firth on 101.

First published at 15:29, Wednesday, 07 March 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk