Young family killed by ex-RAF pilot who drove wrong way down motorway and straight into them

The man was almost four times the legal drink-drive limit when he killed a family including two children on the M6

Lisa Letcher Senior Reporter and Toby Codd 19:37, 29 Mar 2025

An ex-RAF pilot killed a young family when he intentionally drove into oncoming traffic on a motorway. Two children were among the victims of the collision on the M6 in Cumbria.

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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 with a Toyota Yaris on the northbound carriageway just after 4pm.

Cockermouth Coroners' Court was told at an inquest hearing 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 passengers declared dead.

The 42 year old driver, Jaroslaw Rossa, his partner Jade McEnroe, 33, and their two children, Filip, five, and Dominic, seven, all lost their lives at the scene. Meanwhile, Jade's seven year old son Arran survived the tragedy despite sustaining serious injuries.

The inquest learned that Mr Woods, who was born in Hexham but resided in Cambridgeshire, was an avid piano and trumpet player in his youth, even performing for the Queen in Newcastle.

He later rose to the rank of flight lieutenant and then squadron leader as a fast jet pilot, reports the Express[2].

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

The inquest revealed that Mr Woods had sought professional help for alcohol abuse and had a history of anxiety. He once told a counsellor about his past work as a fighter jet pilot, saying: "I dropped bombs.

It was just a job."

The counsellor concluded that he was keen to improve his life and get back on track. On 14th October last year, Mr Woods attended a flight safety conference at Ribby Hall Village near Preston. He stayed overnight in a hotel but fell asleep during the conference the next day.

His snoring was heard during the morning lectures, leading some to believe he was under the influence of alcohol.

Mr Woods then failed to attend the afternoon session before heading north on the M6.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing his Skoda driving erratically around 3.30pm. It was swerving across all three lanes, prompting witness Bryony Bedborough to tell 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.

He narrowly avoided a collision with 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 attempting to brake or avoid other vehicles, ultimately colliding head-on with a Yarisa collision one motorist described as a "loud explosion" with "debris raining down from above."

Gavin Walsh, an eyewitness, remarked: "The driver of the Yaris had no time to react." Following the violent overturn and ignition of the Yaris, it erupted into flames. Bystanders intervened, and emergency services were promptly at the scene, but four occupants of the car were not so fortunate and perished in the tragedy.

The police deduced the Skoda might have been exceeding 70mph at the impact moment. Mr Woods also succumbed to multiple injuries at the crash site.

An examination of his mobile phone contents surfaced 26 previous inquiries into subjects concerning suicide, inclusive of topics about military personnel committing suicide abroad.

Det Sergt Deb Story of the Cumbria Polices serious collision investigation unit inferred that Mr Woods intended his own demise.

At the inquiry, DS Story conveyed her belief that it was a deliberate act. She said had he survived, she would have sought a charge of manslaughter.

Assistant Cumbria coroner, Ms Margaret Taylor, expressed: "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."

Richard's father, Keith Woods, contributed a statement to the inquest saying: "Richard was a decent, honourable man, modest and kind towards others; just a troubled soul who lost his way."

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References

1. ^ News (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
2. ^ the Express (www.express.co.uk)
3. ^ Join Bristol Live's FREE Whatsapp news service (www.bristolpost.co.uk)