A man took his own life and killed four others, including two children, when he drove the wrong way along the M6 in Cumbria and deliberately head-on into another car, an inquest heard.
Richard John Woods, 40, was almost four times the legal drink-drive limit when his southbound Skoda Fabia ploughed into a Toyota Yaris, north of Tebay services, just after 4pm on October 15.
A two-thirds empty bottle of gin was found in Mr Woods’ crashed Skoda, while a fireball engulfed the Glasgow-bound Toyota, with four of its five occupants pronounced dead at the scene.
Toyota driver Jaroslaw Rossa, 42, died along with two of his children, 15-year-old Filip and seven-year-old Dominic.
Mr Rossa’s partner, Jade McEnroe, 33, also died although her son Arran, also seven, survived despite suffering serious injuries.
Cockermouth Coroners’ Court heard today how Hexham-born Mr Woods was a flight lieutenant and squadron leader during a distinguished 14-year RAF career as a fast jet pilot before in 2019. He latterly worked for BAE Systems as a lead contractor instructor pilot.
The inquest heard he had a history of anxiety and detrimental alcohol use, for which he latterly received professional help.
A counsellor ultimately formed the view he wanted to improve his life and get back on track.
On October 14, Mr Woods, of Cambridgeshire, travelled to Lancashire for a conference, staying overnight in a hotel.
At the conference the following day, he fell asleep during morning lectures. Others felt he might be under the influence of alcohol.
Mr Woods failed to show for the afternoon session, instead heading north on the M6.
At around 3.30pm, witnesses initially saw his Skoda travelling northbound. It was drifting between all three lanes, travelling erratically, unsafely and dangerously according to one witness.
Mr Woods pulled on to the hard shoulder before making a sudden U-turn across the northbound carriageway and into lane three, heading south in a straight line for more than a mile.
Despite one very near-miss, Mr Woods travelled on, neither braking nor taking any evasive action as he collided with the Yaris head-on. One motorist recalled a loud explosion. Another reported: “The driver of the (Yaris) had no time to react.”
The Skoda’s speedometer was frozen on 65mph, and could have been travelling at 70 or possibly more at the point of impact, police found.
Mr Woods died from multiple injuries. Analysis of his mobile phone revealed 26 prior searches covering suicide.
Detective Sergeant Deb Story, of Cumbria police’s serious collision investigation unit, concluded that Mr Woods had wanted to end his life, while intoxicated, and in doing so killed and injured others. “I would say that it was a deliberate act,” she said.
Assistant Cumbria coroner Margaret Taylor, recorded a conclusion of suicide and expressed gratitude to the emergency services, saying: “The trauma of attending such an event cannot be underestimated.”
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.”
- An inquest into the deaths of Jaroslaw, Filip, Dominic and Jade is due to be held at Cockermouth next Thursday, April 3.
