Families have paid tribute to two police officers killed in the A66 police crash near Middlesbrough, describing them as heroes who dedicated their lives to helping others.
PC Tom Clough, 38, and PC Matthew Blades, 37, died when a Volkswagen Passat travelling on the wrong side of the dual carriageway collided with their marked armed response vehicle on Saturday. The Passat had been pursued by police shortly before the collision.
All five occupants of the Passat also died. They were named as Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Jacob Matusiak, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and Cole Robert Worthy, 17.
Families remember officers killed in A66 police crash
In a tribute released by Cleveland Police, PC Blades’ wife described him as a beloved husband and devoted father to their two young sons. She said he was “loved beyond words” and that his children would grow up knowing what an incredible father he had been.
She said PC Blades had given his life in the line of duty while protecting and serving others with courage, dedication and selflessness. His greatest legacy, she added, would be the love he gave his family.
She ended her tribute by calling him “forever loved” and “our superhero”, signing off as “Our Matt and Dad”.
PC Clough’s family remembered him as someone with a fantastic sense of humour who would jump into action whenever he was needed. They said he had been their hero and was always willing to help anyone, for any reason.
They also said he had proudly fought for his country and had been on public duty throughout his short life. A man who knew him described him online as a true friend, a fantastic soldier and an even better police officer.
Tributes from football clubs and former pupils
PC Blades had recently become a coach at Seaton Carew FC and was preparing for his first season with the club’s under-sevens team. The club said he and his family were much-loved members of its community.
FC Hartlepool, where he had coached an under-10s team, described him as a role model, mentor and friend. It said children had looked up to and admired him, while his kindness, patience and infectious personality had made him popular with everyone who knew him.
Carmel College in Darlington, where PC Blades taught English before joining the police, remembered him as an intelligent, kind and approachable teacher who gave generously to the young people in his care.
More than £180,000 had been pledged by Sunday evening through an online fundraiser established by the Cleveland Police Federation. The federation said the officers had paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty and that the money would be given to their families to use as they wished.
Investigation into the A66 police crash
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the circumstances surrounding the A66 police crash. It said the officers had been in the area to assist in a search for the Passat, which was believed to have been using cloned registration plates.
The plates had activated an automatic number plate recognition camera and were linked to numerous incidents, the watchdog said. Officers pursued the vehicle for almost seven minutes before it turned on to the A66 travelling in the wrong direction.
The pursuit was then abandoned, according to the IOPC. About 10 seconds later, at 03:39 BST, the Passat collided with the police vehicle, which was travelling on the correct side of the dual carriageway.
IOPC investigators have obtained initial accounts from officers involved in the pursuit, the incident log and in-car footage. Further material is being gathered and the evidence will continue to be reviewed and analysed.
When someone dies following contact with police, the case must be referred to the IOPC. Derrick Campbell, the watchdog’s director of engagement, said it recognised the devastating impact of the collision on Cleveland Police and the wider policing community.
Police officers later placed floral tributes near the cordon on Eston Road. Some removed their hats, bowed their heads and observed a short silence, while others hugged colleagues before leaving. Local residents Elisia and Vincent Haarhoff also visited the scene to show their support for the police and the families.
The section of the A66 in South Bank between Eston Road and Normanby Road was due to remain closed until Monday while repairs were carried out on the carriageway.
Source: BBC News
