Twelve people have been arrested across Teesside as part of the investigation into the A66 crash that killed seven people, including two police officers. Nine men and three women, aged between 19 and 61, were detained on suspicion of a range of offences, including possession of a firearm and involvement in an organised crime group.
In the early hours of Saturday, a Volkswagen Passat that had been pursued by police travelled the wrong way along the A66 near Middlesbrough and collided head-on with an oncoming police car. Two serving officers and all five occupants of the Passat died at the scene.
The officers who died were PC Tom Clough, 38, and PC Matthew Blades, 37. The five people in the Passat were identified as Michael Robert Cahill, 23; Jacob Matusiak, 23; Makai Saddington, 18; Theo Rae, 17; and Cole Robert Worthy, 17.
Cleveland Police say they are investigating “serious criminal activity that resulted in this fatal incident.” The force has outlined its enquiries into the events leading up to the crash: it received multiple reports of two vehicles being driven dangerously that morning; the first vehicle, believed to be a Volvo XC60, was seen ramming properties in Middlesbrough; the second vehicle, the Passat, is thought to have been linked to that activity. Both cars were reportedly using cloned number plates and were detected by automated number plate recognition (ANPR). The Volvo has since been recovered in Middlesbrough. Police also say four of the five people in the Passat had previous convictions.
Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox described the investigation as fast-moving and complex, and said the force has a duty to thoroughly investigate the criminal activity that led to the deaths and to bring those responsible to justice. He added that the events will have a lasting and profound impact on the local community.
A fundraiser set up for the officers’ families by the Cleveland Police Federation has raised more than £500,000. Tributes have poured in: PC Blades’ family said he “gave his life in the line of duty” and noted his previous work as an English teacher at Carmel College in Darlington; PC Clough’s family described him as “our hero” and recalled his prior service in the armed forces.
Flags at Cleveland Police headquarters are flying at half-mast. Redcar and Cleveland Council has opened a book of condolence, and floral tributes can be left at the force’s memorial garden or any Cleveland Police station. Friends and communities have shared tributes online for the five young men, with memorial events including planned balloon releases.
