A66 crash: Two police officers killed in wrong-way crash named

A66 crash: Two police officers killed in wrong-way crash named Two police officers, PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, were killed in a fatal collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough, Teesside, on Saturday morning. The crash occurred shortly after 3.30am when a Volkswagen Passat, traveling in the wrong direction, collided head-on with a police vehicle. All occupants of both vehicles were pronounced dead at the scene. Five members of the public, who were passengers in the Volkswagen, also lost their lives. The identities of the five civilians have not yet been officially released. Cleveland Police confirmed that the Volkswagen was traveling against the flow of traffic on the dual carriageway when it struck the police vehicle. The force stated that the crash took place near South Bank, approximately 10 miles east of Middlesbrough. Chief Constable Victoria Fuller named the two officers who died, describing them as "brave officers protecting our communities and serving our residents who didn't return home to their families at the end of their shift." She and the deputy chief constable visited the families of the officers to offer condolences and support. Specialist family liaison officers are assisting the bereaved families of all those killed. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, following a mandatory referral from Cleveland Police. According to the watchdog, officers sighted a suspicious vehicle and initiated a pursuit before the car entered the A66 and collided with the police car. The police vehicle involved in the crash was not part of the pursuit. Emergency services responded swiftly to the collision, which occurred at 3.39am. North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) dispatched 14 ambulance resources, including ambulance crews, a specialist paramedic, its Hazardous Area Response Team, and a doctor from the Great North Air Ambulance Service. Despite these efforts, multiple casualties were declared dead at the scene. A NEAS spokesperson expressed condolences to those affected and thanked all responders for their work. The A66 remains closed in both directions between Normanby Road and Church Lane in Eston. Police have set up barriers and stationed officers at both ends of the closure, preventing access to the crash site. A large white tent has been erected over the scene, and drones are prohibited from operating nearby. Prime Minister Andy Burnham described the incident as "devastating," expressing his thoughts with the families and loved ones of those involved. He urged the public to avoid speculation and respect the privacy of grieving families. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood echoed similar sentiments, calling the crash "devastating" and extending her condolences to all affected. Local officials and community leaders have also spoken out. Anna Turley, the Home Office minister and local Redcar MP, emphasized the deep impact of the tragedy on the community, stating that the grief of the families is "unimaginable." She encouraged the public to refrain from speculating about the incident and instead focus on supporting the bereaved. Lauren Somerville, chair of the Cleveland Police Federation, described the emotional toll on the police force, noting that the loss of officers who should have been returning home is "unfathomable." She pledged full support to the families of the deceased and promised to honor the memory of the officers once appropriate. Residents in the area have shared accounts of the incident. Ellie Westerman, a local resident, recalled hearing the crash and seeing police vehicles respond with sirens and lights. She described the event as frightening, highlighting the speed at which the vehicles were traveling through a residential area. Footage from a ring doorbell camera, published online minutes before the crash, showed a car being pursued by police vehicles. Although the pursuit appears to have ended prior to the collision, the incident has raised questions about the circumstances leading to the crash. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on supporting the families of the victims and ensuring transparency in the inquiry. The A66 closure and ongoing police presence reflect the gravity of the situation, while tributes continue to pour in from political figures, community leaders, and fellow officers.