Ex-RAF pilot who killed family driving wrong way on M6 in crash horror ‘intended to take own life’

Richard Woods, 40, was almost four times the legal drink-drive limit when he drove a blue Skoda Fabia the wrong way down the M6 motorway

09:23, 30 Mar 2025Updated 10:14, 30 Mar 2025

Jaroslaw Rossa and his two sons Filip and Dominic, who all sadly died in the crash(Image: (Image: PA))

A former RAF pilot took his own life and caused and the deaths of four others when he deliberately drove into oncoming traffic on a motorway, an inquest has heard. The tragic collision, which occurred on the M6 in Cumbria, claimed the lives of two children.

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

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Cockermouth Coroners' Court was told that a two-thirds empty bottle of gin was discovered in the wrecked Skoda.

The Toyota caught fire at the scene of the crash, with four out of its five occupants declared dead, reports the Express [1].

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The driver, 42-year-old Jaroslaw Rossa, his partner Jade McEnroe, 33, and their two children, Filip, five, and Dominic, seven, all died at the scene. However, Jade's seven-year-old son Arran survived the horrific incident, despite sustaining serious injuries.

Jade and her son Arran(Image: (Image: PA))

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.

The counsellor concluded that he was keen 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 reported seeing his Skoda around 3.30pm, driving erratically across all three lanes. One witness, Bryony Bedborough, told police: "We were terrified as to what was going to happen."

She added that he appeared to be either drunk or on drugs, "like he was zoned out, in his own bubble".

After pulling onto 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.

The crash happened on the M6 on October 15 last year(Image: (Image: PA))

He narrowly avoided a collision with one motorist, Gavin Howe, who described seeing a "blue blur".

He said: "How I managed to avoid this vehicle was unbelievable."

Mr. Woods continued driving without any attempt to brake or avoid other vehicles before colliding head-on with a Yaris, an impact described by one witness as a "loud explosion" followed by "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."

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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."

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References

^ the Express (www.express.co.uk)
^ HERE (chat.whatsapp.com)