A man who died after a crash in Carlisle has been named as a former Carlisle United footballer.

Russell Coughlin, 56, is believed to have suffered a medical episode behind the wheel of his car on Kingstown Road late yesterday afternoon.

Mr Coughlin, who used to play football for Carlisle United in the 1980s, was given CPR at the scene before being taken to the city's Cumberland Infirmary. He died a short time later.


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Carlisle United this morning paid tribute on social media to Mr Coughlin, who made 130 appearances for the Cumbrians.

The road was closed in both directions between the Parkhouse Road and the Carlisle North motorway junction while investigations were carried out.

Diversions were in operation through the the Kingstown Industrial Estate.

A spokeswoman for Cumbria Police said: "We are appealing for witnesses to the collision to get in touch.

"We want to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the crash or the vehicle in the moments leading up to it.

"In particular, we are keen to trace a witness who initially stopped to help but had left prior to police arriving."

Call police on 101.