An inquest has opened into the death of a Norfolk-based flight instructor who drove the wrong way on a motorway resulting in a collision that also killed two adults and two children.

The tragedy happened on the M6 motorway on October 15 between junctions 38 and 39 near Tebay, Cumbria.  

Richard Woods, 40, who worked at RAF Marham, was driving in the wrong direction of the northbound carriageway when his vehicle hit a Toyota carrying two adults and three children. 

Mr Woods, who lived in Cambridgeshire, and four occupants of the Toyota died at the scene.  

A seven-year-old boy was airlifted to hospital in Newcastle-upon-Tyne with serious injuries.  

Details of the incident were revealed during the inquest opening of Mr Woods’ death at Cockermouth Coroners’ Court. 

Margaret Taylor, an assistant coroner for Cumbria, said: “[Mr Woods] 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 motorvehicle containing other occupants who died at the scene alongside Mr Woods.   

“Under all the circumstances there is going to need to be an inquest into the death of Mr Woods so I’m therefore adjourning this matter to a day until enquiries have been completed.”

It is anticipated a full inquest will be held into his death in March of next year.

At the brief hearing, which was held on October 31, it was revealed Mr Woods leaves behind family and was born in Northumberland.  

It has not been disclosed where he lived in Cambridgeshire.  

Following the incident, a BAE Systems spokesman, confirmed "with great sadness” that one of its employees was involved in the fatal road accident.  

He said: “Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the bereaved families, emergency services and all those affected.”  

The occupants of the Toyota were from Glasgow.