An inquest begins into the death of a man who drove the wrong way on the M6, killing four Scots

An investigation has been launched into the death of a man who…drove onto the motorway in the wrong direction, causing a head-on collision that killed two adults and two children on their way home to Scotland.

Police were called to the scene of a fatal accident near the northbound carriageway of the M6 ​​motorway in Cumbria – near Tebay, between Penrith and Kendal – on Tuesday, October 15.

Richard John Woods, from Cambridgeshire, was driving a Skoda heading south when it hit a Toyota head-on.

The 40-year-old pilot instructor was pronounced dead at the scene.

Cumbria Police

Toyota driver Jarosław Rossa (42) from Kilvaxter Drive in Glasgow died along with his two sons, 15-year-old Filip and seven-year-old Dominik. Passenger Jade McEnroe, 33, also died.

Her seven-year-old son Arran survived the crash but was seriously injured and taken to hospital in Newcastle-upon-Tyne for treatment.

Last week, Cumbria Police delivered deeply moving tributes to the four Toyota passengers who died.

The boys’ mother, Kamila, said: “We are devastated by the death of our beloved angels, Filip and Dominik.

Flip was “very intelligent, sensitive and full of love”. Dominik, she said, was “always smiling, very determined and sociable.”

“Our lives will never be the same again,” Kamila added.

Jade’s parents, from Glasgow, said she was “much loved” and would be missed every day. “You are a very lovely mother to Arran,” they added.

An inquest into Woods’ death was formally opened at Cockermouth Coroner’s Court on Thursday.

At the hearing he was told he died four days before his 41st birthday. The fingerprinting officer presented formal proof of identification.

Margaret Taylor, deputy coroner for Cumbria, said of Woods: “He leaves behind a family. He was a flying instructor by profession and was born in Northumberland.

Describing the brief circumstances of Woods’ death, Ms Taylor told the inquest: ‘He died from multiple injuries. He was driving on the M6 ​​motorway, between junctions 38 and 39.

“He was traveling on the highway at a bad angle when he collided with a Toyota motor vehicle carrying other passengers, who died at the scene alongside Mr. Woods.”

Ms Taylor concluded: “Whatever the circumstances, an inquest into Mr Woods’ death will be necessary. I am therefore suspending this matter today until the investigation is completed.

“The inquest is expected to be completed by March 27, 2025, at which time it is hoped that a full investigation can continue so that Mr Woods’ death can finally be recorded.”