M6 crash as ex-RAF pilot kills family driving wrong way to take own life | UK | News

An ex-RAF pilot took his own life and killed four others when he deliberately drove and crashed into head-on traffic on a motorway, an inquest has heard. Two children were among those that died in the collision on the M6 in Cumbria.

Richard John Woods, 40, was almost four times the legal drink-drive limit at the time of the fatal crash on October 15 last year. He was driving a blue Skoda Fabia when he drove the wrong way down the motorway and ploughed into a Toyota Yaris on the northbound carriageway shortly after 4pm.

Cockermouth Coroners’ Court heard how a two-thirds empty bottle of gin was found in the crashed Skoda. The Toyota burst into flames at the scene of the crash, with four of its five occupants pronounced dead.

The 42-year-old driver Jaroslaw Rossa, his partner Jade McEnroe, 33, and two children, five-year-old Filip and seven-year-old Dominic, all died at the scene. Meanwhile, Jade’s seven-year-old son Arran survived the tragedy despite suffering serious injuries.

The inquest heard how Mr Woods, who was born in Hexham but lived in Cambridgeshire, was a keen piano and trumpet player in his younger years, performing for the Queen in Newcastle. He later became a flight lieutenant and then squadron leader as a fast jet pilot.

During his distinguished 14-year RAF career, Mr Woods toured Afghanistan twice and completed three tours of Iraq. He received one commendation and left the force in 2019.

However, the inquest heard how he received professional help for alcohol abuse. Mr Woods also had a history of anxiety.

He told a counsellor of his previous fighter jet work: “I dropped bombs. It was just a job.” That counsellor concluded he wanted to improve his life and get back on track.

On October 14 last year, Mr Woods travelled to a flight safety conference at Ribby Hall Village near Preston. He stayed overnight in a hotel but fell asleep at the conference on the following day.

He was heard snoring during the morning lectures and some people felt he was under the influence of alcohol. Mr Woods then failed to show up to the afternoon session before heading north on the M6.

Eyewitnesses spotted his Skoda at around 3.30pm and reported it driving erratically. It was drifting between all three lanes and a witness, Bryony Bedborough, told police: “We were terrified as to what was going to happen.” She added that he looked like he was either drunk or on drugs”, “like he was zoned out, in his own bubble”.

After pulling on to the hard shoulder, Mr Woods made a sudden U-turn across the motorway. He then deliberately drove south down the northbound carriageway for over a mile.

He almost crashed with one motorist, Gavin Howe, who recalled a “blue blur”. He said: “How I managed to avoid this vehicle was unbelievable.”

Mr Woods kept driving without braking or evading other vehicles. He then crash with the Yaris head-on, with one motorist recalling a “loud explosion” and “debris raining down from above”.

Gavin Walsh, a witness, said: “The driver of the Yaris had no time to react.” The Yaris flipped over and burst into a ball of flames. Other people came to help and emergency services rushed to the scene, but four people inside the vehicle tragically died.

Police said the Skoda could have been travelling at 70mph or faster at the time of the crash. Mr Woods also died at the scene from multiple injuries.

Analysis of his mobile phone revealed 26 prior searches covering suicide and suicide of military personnel overseas. Det Sergt Deb Story, of Cumbria police’s serious collision investigation unit, concluded that Mr Woods wanted to take his own life.

“I would say that it was a deliberate act,” DS Story told the hearing, adding. “Had Mr Woods survived, I would have presented the case seeking a charge of manslaughter.”

Assistant Cumbria coroner, Ms Margaret Taylor, said: “The only thing I can do at this stage is to express my condolences to the family for the tragedy that has ensued, but also to remember those who were involved as collateral to this tragic event.”

In a statement read to the inquest, Mr Woods’ father, Keith said: “Richard was a decent, honourable man, modest and kind towards others; just a troubled soul who lost his way.”