A former RAF pilot who killed a family of four and himself when he drove the wrong way for more than a mile on a motorway wanted to take his own life, an inquest has heard.
Richard Woods was almost four times over the legal drink-drive limit when his Skoda Fabia hit a Toyota Yaris head on, at speed, on the M6 northbound in Cumbria in October last year. A two-thirds empty bottle of spirits was later found in Woods’s car.
A fireball engulfed the Glasgow-bound Toyota with four of the five occupants pronounced dead at the scene. They were Jaroslaw Rossa, 42; his children Filip, 15, and Dominic, seven; and his partner, Jade McEnroe, 33. McEnroe’s son Arran, seven, survived despite serious injuries.
At the inquest into Woods’s death in Cockermouth, the coroner Margaret Taylor recorded a conclusion of suicide and described the incident on the afternoon of 15 October as a “catastrophe”.
“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,” she said.
The court heard Woods had a distinguished 14-year career as an RAF jet pilot. He toured Afghanistan twice and completed three tours of Iraq – receiving a commendation for one – before leaving the RAF in 2019. He then worked for BAE Systems, based at RAF Marham in Norfolk, as a lead contractor instructor pilot.
The inquest heard he had a history of anxiety and detrimental alcohol use, for which he received professional help.
Woods was at a flight safety conference near Preston, Lancashire, on the day of the crash but could be heard snoring during morning sessions.
In the afternoon he drove north, with witnesses telling police that his car was drifting erratically and dangerously between lanes.
The inquest heard that Woods then went on to the hard shoulder and made a U-turn, driving the wrong way for more than a mile in the third lane of the M6.
After a near-miss with one vehicle, Woods’s car collided head-on with the Toyota. The Skoda’s speedometer was frozen on 65mph, and could have been travelling at 70 or more at the point of impact, police found.
Woods died from multiple injuries. Analysis of his mobile phone revealed 26 browser searches covering suicide and suicide of military personnel overseas.
In a statement read to the inquest, Woods’s 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 on Thursday 3 April.
• In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counsellor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org
