Update after man in Skoda 'driving wrong way down motorway' killed young family

A man who is said to have driven the wrong way down a motorway - causing a crash in which he was one of five people killed - was a former RAF pilot, reports claim.

Richard Woods, 40, was driving a Skoda on the motorway near Tebay services in Cumbria, England on October 15 when his car collided with a Toyota. He was pronounced dead on the scene. Police believe Mr Woods, from Cambridgeshire, was driving the wrong way down the northbound carriageway in the Skoda. Cumbria Police said he has now been formally identified.

Jaroslaw Rossa, 42, his sons Filip, 15, and Dominic, seven, and passenger Jade McEnroe, 33 – who were travelling in the Toyota - also lost their lives. A third youngster, Jade's son, remains in a coma fighting for his life in hospital.

And now it has emerged Mr Woods, of Cambridgeshire, was "under a lot of stress" recently. A source told The Sun there is an "assumption he did it deliberately while his mind was unbalanced".

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The publication also reports Mr Woods was a "former RAF Tornado pilot" and had trained RAF personnel. Mr Woods was based at RAF Marham in Norfolk, where he was in charge of the F-35B Lightning flight simulator, The Sun claims.

Officers in Cumbria received 'multiple reports' his Skoda had been travelling the wrong way on the northbound carriageway. Emergency services were on route when further calls were received saying it had been involved in a head-on collision with a Toyota.

They previously said the driver of the Skoda, a man from Cambridgeshire, died instantly. He has today been identified. A force spokesperson said: "We can confirm the identity of the driver of the Skoda, involved in the road traffic collision on the M6 Northbound past Tebay on Tuesday 15 October. The driver has been formally identified as Richard Woods, aged 40, from Cambridgeshire."

The families of the four tragic Toyota passengers, all from Glasgow, paid tribute to their loved ones. Jaroslaw Rossa, sons Filip, and Dominic, and passenger Jade McEnroe were all pronounced dead at the scene.

In tribute to her sons Filip and Dominic, both of east Glasgow, their mother Kamila said: "We are heartbroken at the passing of our beloved angels - Filip and Dominic.

"Filip was very intelligent, sensitive and full of love. We will never forget his smile, open arms, and the words 'tuli, tuli' (hugs, hugs). He was fascinated by computer games but also incredibly good at chess."

If you or someone you know has been affected by the issues raised in this article please contact:
Samaritans helpline 116 123
Aware helpline 1800 80 48 48
Pieta House on 1800 247 247

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