The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has confirmed that a police pursuit of a Volkswagen Passat suspected of using cloned plates was aborted just seconds before the vehicle crashed into a separate police car on the A66 near Middlesbrough, killing seven people. The victims include five young men and two Cleveland Police officers.
Fatal Collision on the A66
The collision occurred in the early hours of Saturday on the A66 at South Bank, Teesside. The Passat, which had been driven on the wrong side of the dual carriageway, collided head-on with a marked armed response vehicle. The five occupants of the Passat—Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and 23-year-olds Michael Robert Cahill and Jacob Matusiak—were pronounced dead at the scene.
The two officers killed were Pc Matthew Blades, 37, and Pc Tom Clough, 38, of Cleveland Police. They were travelling in the correct direction when the Passat struck their vehicle.
IOPC Investigation Details
The IOPC said on Sunday that Pc Blades and Pc Clough were not part of the original pursuit but had been called to the area to assist in the search for the Passat. Cleveland Police had received intelligence about "numerous incidents" linked to the vehicle, which was believed to be using cloned plates. The plates had triggered an ANPR camera, leading to an armed response vehicle beginning a pursuit that lasted just under seven minutes.
According to the IOPC, the Passat then drove onto the A66 against the flow of traffic. Police aborted the chase and continued on the correct side of the carriageway. The Passat crashed into the officers' vehicle approximately 10 seconds after the pursuit was terminated.
IOPC director of engagement Derrick Campbell expressed condolences, stating: "We recognise the devastating impact the incident has had on those in the force, and the wider policing community, and offer our condolences." He added: "We have obtained initial accounts of officers involved in the pursuit, the incident log and in-car footage of the incident. Work is ongoing to obtain additional material."
Community Mourning and Tributes
Tributes have flooded social media, with friends of the five young men saying they "can't believe it" and were "heartbroken" and "lost for words". Balloon releases have been announced in their memory on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at various locations, including South Bank. A silent prayer vigil will be held at St John the Evangelist Church in South Bank on Monday, where the parish priest will urge: "Say prayers every hour on the hour for those who lost their lives, for their families, friends and colleagues and all who are struggling with the great sense of loss and grief at this time."
Pc Blades, a husband and father of two, coached his eldest son in football and had recently become a coach at Seaton Carew FC, preparing to teach its under-sevens Seahawks team. The club said: "He was looking forward to being part of the team and, most importantly, to coaching his own son, who is going to be playing for the Seahawks this season. Matty and his oldest son are much-loved members of our club and our U10 Lions football family." FC Hartlepool described him as a "much-loved member of our football family", adding: "As coach of our U10 Reds, a team that was made even more special by having his eldest son playing alongside the boys, Matty was so much more than a coach. He was a role model, a mentor, a friend, and someone the children looked up to and admired."
A man who knew Pc Clough called him a "true friend, fantastic soldier and I have no doubt even better police officer", adding: "Taken far too soon words fail me right now. Until we meet again sleep tight my mate."
Anna Turley, MP for the Redcar constituency where the accident occurred, paid condolences and said the "whole community is reeling here today", describing Cleveland Police as a "close-knit" force. Cleveland police and crime commissioner Matt Storey echoed this, telling Sky News: "It is a small place, and the force is a really tight-knit family, really, and I think it will have a big impact on them."
One tribute to Mr Rae, Mr Worthy, and Mr Saddington said "life will never be the same" and called them "the most kindest lads about". Another social media post described Mr Matusiak as "the funniest, caring, kind hearted person in the world" who "lit up every room". A message dedicated to all five young men said: "We all knew use and knew use had hearts of gold and most loyalist lads."
