First picture of RAF pilot who wiped out Scottish families in horror M6 crash
A FORMER RAF pilot who killed a Scottish family after driving the wrong way down the M6 has been pictured.
Richard John Woods, 40, took his own life by deliberately driving his blue Skoda Fabia head-on into another car on the major motorway in Cumbria[1] last October.
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Jaroslaw Rossa, aged 42, died along with two of his children, 15-year-old Filip and seven-year-old DominicCredit: PA
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Mr Rossa’s partner Jade McEnroe also died
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The only survivor was Jade’s seven-year-old son
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The head-on crash engulfed the Glasgow-bound car in flamesCredit: PA
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Images of Richard Woods’ (RIGHT) time in the RAF have emerged
Four of the people in the Glasgow-bound Toyota Yaris were killed when Woods collided with them[2], sparking a fire which engulfed their car in flames.
Toyota driver Jaroslaw Rossa, aged 42, died along with two of his children[3], 15-year-old Filip and seven-year-old Dominic.
Mr Rossa’s partner, Jade McEnroe, aged 33, also lost her life although.
The only survivor of the horrific collision was Jade’s seven-year-old son Arran[4], who miraculously survived despite suffering serious injuries[5].
family were on their way back from a holiday at Legoland[6] when the horrific tragedy happened.
Images of Woods time in the air force have since emerged as an inquest[7] into the collision is heard.
The picture shows him walking with another pilot while wearing his flight fatigues and helmet.
Woods became a flight lieutenant and then squadron leader during a distinguished 14-year RAF[8] career as a fast jet pilot.
He served two tours in Afghanistan, three in Iraq — where receiving a commendation for one — before leaving the RAF in 2019.
He latterly worked for BAE Systems[9], based at RAF Marham[10] in Norfolk[11], as a lead contractor instructor pilot.
Cops probing M6 crash which killed 2 children, woman & man fear car ‘driving WRONG WAY’ down M6 sparked horror
The inquest at Cockermouth Coroners[12]‘ Court[13] heard he had a history of anxiety and detrimental alcohol[14] use, for which he latterly received professional help.
Woods was four times the drink drive limit when he sped down the wrong side of the motorway[15] at speeds of up to 70mph.
A two-thirds empty bottle of gin was found in Mr Woods’ crashed Skoda.
The inquest heard from police[16] that if Woods had survived the collision, he would have been charged with manslaughter.
Jade’s parents Marie McEnroe and George McNellis told the coroner they blamed him for her death and said the ex-RAF man murdered her daughter.
Ms McEnroe said: “It was definitely murder. That’s the only word.”
Mr McNellis said: “He definitely murdered my daughter.”
Hero workman pulled Glasgow schoolboy from fireball crash
BY STUART PATTERSON
A HERO workman told how he pulled a trapped schoolboy from a burning car – but was unable to save the lad’s mum.
Gavin Walsh leapt into action when he saw the horrific head-on smash happen on a motorway right in front of him.
He jumped out of the Transit van he was a passenger in and ran to the Toyota Yaris which had caught fire.
Within seconds he shattered the back window to try and get to whoever was caught inside and spotted Arran Martin, seven.
Gavin said: “I could hear screams coming from the car.
“I used a jack to smash the rear windscreen and I saw a little boy in the back seat who appeared to be stuck but possibly alive.
“I was able to pull him from his seat and took him away from the car.
“The boy was conscious and breathing. We spoke about football and what school he went to. I was just trying to keep him awake.”
Spa therapist Jade had been in a relationship with Mr Rossa for more than two years and was happy.
