M6 crash as ex-RAF pilot kills household driving incorrect technique to take personal life | UK | News | EUROtoday

An ex-RAF pilot took his personal life and killed 4 others when he intentionally drove and crashed into head-on visitors on a motorway, an inquest has heard. Two youngsters had been amongst those who died within the collision on the M6 in Cumbria.

Richard John Woods, 40, was nearly 4 occasions the authorized drink-drive restrict on the time of the deadly crash on October 15 final yr. He was driving a blue Skoda Fabia when he drove the incorrect approach down the motorway and ploughed right into a Toyota Yaris on the northbound carriageway shortly after 4pm.

Cockermouth Coroners’ Court heard how a two-thirds empty bottle of gin was discovered within the crashed Skoda. The Toyota burst into flames on the scene of the crash, with 4 of its 5 occupants pronounced lifeless.

The 42-year-old driver Jaroslaw Rossa, his accomplice Jade McEnroe, 33, and two youngsters, five-year-old Filip and seven-year-old Dominic, all died on the scene. Meanwhile, Jade’s seven-year-old son Arran survived the tragedy regardless of struggling severe accidents.

The inquest heard how Mr Woods, who was born in Hexham however lived in Cambridgeshire, was a eager piano and trumpet participant in his youthful years, performing for the Queen in Newcastle. He later grew to become a flight lieutenant after which squadron chief as a quick jet pilot.

During his distinguished 14-year RAF profession, Mr Woods toured Afghanistan twice and accomplished three excursions of Iraq. He acquired one commendation and left the power in 2019.

However, the inquest heard how he acquired skilled assist for alcohol abuse. Mr Woods additionally had a historical past of hysteria.

He advised a counsellor of his earlier fighter jet work: “I dropped bombs. It was just a job.” That counsellor concluded he needed to enhance his life and get again on observe.

On October 14 final yr, Mr Woods travelled to a flight security convention at Ribby Hall Village close to Preston. He stayed in a single day in a resort however fell asleep on the convention on the next day.

He was heard loud night breathing throughout the morning lectures and a few folks felt he was inebriated. Mr Woods then failed to indicate as much as the afternoon session earlier than heading north on the M6.

Eyewitnesses noticed his Skoda at round 3.30pm and reported it driving erratically. It was drifting between all three lanes and a witness, Bryony Bedborough, advised police: “We had been terrified as to what was going to occur.” 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 stated: “How I managed to avoid this vehicle was unbelievable.”

Mr Woods stored driving with out braking or evading different autos. 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, stated: “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 advised the listening to, including. “Had Mr Woods survived, I would have presented the case seeking a charge of manslaughter.”

Assistant Cumbria coroner, Ms Margaret Taylor, stated: “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.”