A tragic incident unfolded when a former RAF pilot, Richard Woods, took his own life by driving the wrong way on a motorway, resulting in the deaths of four others. The inquest held at Cockermouth Coroners’ Court revealed that Woods was almost four times over the legal drinking and driving limit when he deliberately collided head-on with a Toyota near Tebay services on the M6 in Cumbria on 15 October. Among the victims of the crash were Jaroslaw Rossa, a 42-year-old Toyota driver from Glasgow, and his two sons, Filip (15) and Dominic (7), along with his partner Jade McEnroe (33).
During the proceedings, Assistant Cumbria coroner Margaret Taylor ruled that Woods, aged 40 and hailing from Cambridgeshire, had committed suicide. The court learned that Woods had a distinguished career in the RAF, holding positions including flight lieutenant and squadron leader for 14 years before transitioning to work as an instructor pilot at BAE Systems. He also struggled with issues related to anxiety and alcohol abuse, receiving professional assistance for these challenges.
Details emerged regarding the events leading up to the fatal crash, indicating that Woods had attended a conference in Lancashire on the day of the incident. Witnesses reported his erratic and drowsy behavior while driving on the M6, culminating in a moment where he performed a U-turn and drove south in the northbound lane. Despite a close call with another vehicle, Woods did not attempt to avoid the collision with the Toyota, resulting in the tragic outcome that claimed multiple lives.
Following an analysis of Woods’ mobile phone and the discovery of a nearly empty bottle of gin in his car, authorities determined that the pilot had intentionally caused the crash as a means to end his own life. Det Sgt Deb Story from Cumbria Police’s serious collision investigation unit asserted that the incident was a deliberate act with fatal consequences. Woods’ father, Keith, expressed sorrow over his son’s struggles, describing him as a good-hearted individual who faced inner turmoil leading to a tragic end. An upcoming inquest is set to delve into the circumstances surrounding the other victims of the crash, scheduled for April
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