A major collision on the A66 dual carriageway near Middlesbrough has claimed the lives of seven people, including two police officers. The tragedy occurred in the early hours of Saturday when a car traveling the wrong way struck a marked police vehicle.
The crash involved a Volkswagen Passat carrying five occupants, who are reported to have been in their late teens. At approximately 03:39 BST, the vehicle collided with an oncoming marked Cleveland Police armed response vehicle in the South Bank area of the A66. All of the occupants in both vehicles were pronounced dead at the scene.
The two deceased officers have been identified as 37-year-old PC Matthew Blades and 38-year-old PC Tom Clough. Chief Constable Victoria Fuller paid tribute to them, describing them as "brave officers protecting our communities." She expressed deep sorrow over the incident, stating, "These were brave officers protecting our communities and serving our residents, who didn't return home to their families at the end of their shift." Fuller added that it was an "incredibly sad day for Cleveland," noting that "no one should leave their home and not return safely." She also remarked that the tragedy "will be felt across Cleveland, within our communities and throughout the entire policing family." The families of the victims have been informed and are receiving specialist support.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. According to the watchdog, "At this early stage, we understand Cleveland Police sighted a suspicious vehicle and a pursuit began." While a pursuit had been initiated, it is understood to have ended before the actual collision, with the police vehicle simply being present in the South Bank area at the time of the crash. However, security footage captured from a residential property on Lime Road in Middlesbrough appears to show a vehicle being pursued by police cars approximately three minutes prior to the collision. Chief Constable Fuller confirmed that the officers were traveling in a marked armed response vehicle on the correct side of the road when the oncoming Passat struck them.
The collision prompted a massive emergency response. The North East Ambulance Service, which deployed 14 ambulance resources to the scene, offered its condolences, stating: "We send condolences to all of those affected by such a tragic event and thank everyone for all they did to help."
The A66, which serves as a major traffic artery through Teesside, was closed in both directions between Normanby Road and Church Lane. Cleveland Police indicated that the road, which is surrounded by industrial units and factories, was expected to remain closed for the remainder of the day.
The incident has drawn widespread condolences from political and community leaders. Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated he was "devastated" by the news and expressed his gratitude to the emergency services for their response under "incredibly difficult circumstances." Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood assured Cleveland Police of her full support, saying, "Police officers put their own safety on the line to protect their communities every single day. My thoughts are with all those affected, their families, friends, the emergency services who attended the scene and the wider police family."
Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey described the incident as an "unimaginable loss," adding that "few words [could] bring comfort" to those grieving. Anna Turley, the Member of Parliament for the local Redcar constituency, expressed that she was "deeply saddened" and shared her gratitude for the emergency services.
Lauren Somerville, chairwoman of the Cleveland Police Federation, called the loss of the two officers "unfathomable" and said, "Words cannot describe the pain the Cleveland Police family are feeling today." Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp extended his condolences and emphasized that the IOPC "must be given the time and space to complete their investigations without speculation." Additionally, the Mayor of Tees Valley, Ben Houchen, called the crash a "horrible and tragic incident" and described the lost police officers as "heroes."
