PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough mourned after A66 wrong-way crash
PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, died after a wrong-way collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough. The deaths of the Cleveland Police officers, among seven people killed, have prompted tributes from police leaders and politicians.
Fatal Collision Near Middlesbrough
The crash occurred in the South Bank area on Saturday and involved a Cleveland Police vehicle.
Circumstances of the Crash
At about 03:39 BST, a Volkswagen Passat travelling in the wrong direction struck the police vehicle. Five people in the car, described as being from their late teens to early 20s, also died. They have not been identified publicly.
Road and Vehicle Details
The A66 is a principal route through Teesside. The location of the collision, surrounded by industrial units and factories, remained shut on Sunday.
Scale of the Loss
The incident killed seven people in total, including the Two officers. Cleveland Police Federation chairwoman Lauren Somerville called the loss “unfathomable” and said the force family was in pain.
Investigation and Force Response
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is examining the events leading up to the collision.
Pursuit Timeline Examined
The watchdog said Cleveland Police had seen a suspicious vehicle and that a pursuit began. Footage from a home on Lime Road in Middlesbrough appears to show a car followed by police vehicles three minutes before the crash. The pursuit had ended before the collision, and the vehicle carrying the officers was in South Bank at the time.
Condolences From Leaders
Chief Constable Victoria Fuller described an incredibly sad day for Cleveland, saying no one should leave home without returning safely. She and her deputy chief constable visited the officers’ families. IOPC investigations director Nicola Marfleet also offered thoughts to all affected.
Tributes Across Teesside
Public figures and local representatives have expressed grief and praised the officers’ service.
Messages From Public Figures
The prime minister, home secretary and Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp sent condolences. Andy Burnham said he was devastated. On Facebook, Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen described a horrible and tragic incident and praised emergency workers’ bravery.
Community and Institutional Views
Local representatives and policing bodies focused on the impact on families, colleagues and the communities served by the officers.
Recognition of Service
Anna Turley, MP for the Redcar constituency, said the officers went to work to keep people safe and should have returned to their families. She said their deaths would be deeply felt.
Shared Grief
Eston ward councillors David Taylor and Stephen Martin said they were deeply saddened by what they termed an unimaginable tragedy.
Call for Due Process
Philp said the IOPC should be allowed time and space to carry out its investigation without speculation.
Next Steps in the Case
The formal inquiry will determine the circumstances surrounding police contact and the fatal collision.
Mandatory Watchdog Referral
A referral to the IOPC is required when someone dies following police contact. Its investigation is now under way.
Issues Under Review
The inquiry is expected to consider the sighting of the suspicious vehicle, the pursuit and its end before the crash, as well as the circumstances in which the police vehicle was in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about the A66 wrong-way crash and the investigation that followed.
1. What started the events leading to the A66 wrong-way crash?
Cleveland Police officers saw a suspicious vehicle, and a pursuit began. The pursuit had ended before a Volkswagen Passat travelling in the wrong direction collided with the police vehicle at about 03:39 BST in South Bank near Middlesbrough.
2. Why is the A66 wrong-way crash trending?
The collision killed seven people, including Cleveland Police officers PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough. Tributes from police leaders, politicians and community representatives have followed the deaths.
3. What are the latest updates on the investigation?
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the circumstances surrounding police contact and the fatal collision. The A66 location remained closed on Sunday, while Cleveland Police leaders visited the officers’ families.
4. What could happen next in the case?
The IOPC inquiry will examine the sighting of the suspicious vehicle, the pursuit and its conclusion, and why the police vehicle was in the area when the collision occurred. Officials have called for the investigation to proceed without speculation.
Based on reporting from the original report.
