A former Tornado pilot was driving on the wrong side of the M6 before he crashed into another car killing a family returning home from Legoland, an inquest has heard.
Police rushed to the scene of the tragic crash on the northbound carriageway in Cumbria just after 4pm on October 15.
The Toyota was driven by Jaroslaw Rossa, 42, from Glasgow, with his two sons Filip, aged 15, and seven-year-old Dominic as well as Jade McEnroe, 33, as passengers.
All four died in the crash near Tebay, between Penrith and Kendal.
In the car was also Ms McEnroe’s seven-year-old son, Arran, who survived the crash but was badly injured and taken to hospital in Newcastle-upon-Tyne for treatment.
The car they were was hit head-on by the Skoda, being driven by 40-year-old flight instructor Richard John Woods, of Cambridgeshire.
Jaroslaw Rossa, 42, and his two of his sons, Filip Rossa, 15, and Dominic Rossa, seven, were killed when their Toyota was involved in a crash on the M6 last Tuesday
Jade, right, is pictured with Jaroslaw Rossa from Glasgow who also died in the crash
Police say the crash involved a Skoda travelling southbound on the northbound carriageway
Last week, moving tributes to the four occupants of the Toyota were released by police.
The boys’ 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’. Dominic, she said, was ‘always smiling, very resolute and sociable’.
‘Our lives will never be the same again,’ added Kamila.
Jade’s parents, of Kilmuir Road, Glasgow, said she was ‘so loved’ and would be missed every day. ‘You are a very much loved mummy to Arran,’ they added.
Tributes from friends also poured in on social media, with one woman named Claire Watt writing: ‘Words are absolutely failing me at this moment.
‘Jade McEnroe I cannot get what has happened out of my mind. Absolutely devastating my heart goes out to both families,’ she continued.
Nicola Thompson, who grew up next to Jade and her parents said: ‘[We] have loads of lovely memories together.
‘Life is so cruel, I’m praying for [the child] who is the sweetest little boy with his whole life ahead of him. Rest in Peace Jade McEnroe and your beautiful family.’
Youngster Arran Martin (pictured) survived the crash but was badly injured and had to be taken to hospital in Newcastle-upon-Tyne for treatment
Arran’s mother Jade McEnroe, 33, was one of the four people in the Toyota who was killed in the motorway crash
Smoke could be seen billowing from vehicles in the aftermath of the smash on the M6
An air ambulance was sent to the scene of the crash on the M6 where the five people died
An inquest into the death of Mr Woods was formally opened at Cockermouth Coroners’ Court this morning.
The hearing was told that he had died four days before his 41st birthday. Formal identification evidence had been provided by a fingerprint officer.
Ms Margaret Taylor, assistant coroner for Cumbria, said of Mr Woods: ‘He leaves behind a family. He was a flight instructor by occupation and had been born in Northumberland.’
Outlining the brief circumstances of Mr Woods’ death, Ms Taylor told the inquest: ‘He died as a consequence of multiple injuries. He had been driving a car on the M6 motorway between junctions 38 and 39. He was driving the wrong way down the motorway when he collided with a Toyota motor vehicle containing other occupants who died at the scene alongside Mr Woods.’
Ms Taylor concluded: ‘Under all the circumstances there is going to need to be an inquest into the death of Mr Woods. I am therefore adjoining this matter today until enquiries have been completed.
‘It is anticipated enquiries will be completed by 27th March (2025) when it is hoped that the full inquest can proceed so that Mr Woods’ death can finally be registered.’
Police said last Tuesday that seven-year-old Arran remained in hospital with serious injuries. Police have now said that no further information about his condition would be released.