Victims Named in A66 Crash
Cleveland Police have officially named the five people who died in a Volkswagen Passat during a collision on the A66 in South Bank, near Middlesbrough, in the early hours of Saturday 22 August. The force confirmed the identities of Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Cole Robert Worthy, 16, Jacob Matusiak, 23, and Makai Saddington, 18. Reports vary on whether Cole Robert Worthy was 16 or 17, with some outlets listing him as 17.
Two Cleveland Police officers, PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, also died in the crash. They were travelling in a marked armed response vehicle going in the correct direction when the Passat, travelling the wrong way, collided with them. Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller described the officers as "brave officers" who "didn't return home to their families at the end of their shift."
The Collision and Investigation
The crash occurred at 3:39am on Saturday. According to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which opened an investigation following a mandatory referral from Cleveland Police, officers had received intelligence about numerous incidents linked to a Volkswagen Passat. The vehicle, believed to be using cloned plates that had activated an ANPR camera, was sighted and an armed response vehicle began a pursuit.
The IOPC stated that analysis of in-car footage showed the pursuit lasted just under seven minutes before the Passat travelled onto the A66 against the flow of traffic. At that point, officers aborted the pursuit and continued on the correct side of the carriageway. Approximately 10 seconds later, the Passat collided with another police vehicle, which was not part of the pursuit but had been called to the area to assist in the search for the Passat. PC Blades and PC Clough were in that vehicle.
IOPC director of engagement Derrick Campbell said the watchdog had obtained initial accounts from officers involved in the pursuit, the incident log, and in-car footage. He added: "We recognise the devastating impact the incident has had on everyone affected."
The police vehicle carrying PC Blades and PC Clough was not part of the original pursuit, a detail reported by multiple outlets.
Tributes and Community Response
Tributes have flowed for the victims. Seaton Carew FC paid tribute to PC Blades, who had recently joined the club as a coach and was preparing to coach his own son in the under-7s Seahawks team. The club said: "It is with the heaviest of hearts that Seaton Carew FC shares the devastating news of the passing of one of our coaches, Matty, who tragically lost his life in a fatal accident while carrying out his duties as a police officer." FC Hartlepool described Blades as a "much-loved member of our football family."
Anna Turley, MP for the Redcar constituency, said the "whole community is reeling here today" and described Cleveland Police as a "close-knit" force. Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey told Sky News that the force is a "really tight-knit family" and the crash will have a big impact on them.
Tributes have been left at the scene, including flowers and balloons. Balloon releases were announced in memory of the five young men on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at different locations including South Bank. A silent prayer vigil was to be held at St John the Evangelist Church in South Bank on Monday.
Cleveland Police Federation chairwoman Lauren Somerville said: "Words cannot describe the pain the Cleveland Police family are feeling." Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said in a Facebook statement that police officers are heroes.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was "devastated" to hear that two police officers and five members of the public were killed.
Additional Context
Some reports noted that at least one of the deceased had previously posted videos on TikTok showing him recklessly speeding. Ring doorbell footage showed a car being driven at speed through Middlesbrough streets at 3:36am, followed by police cars, before the crash.
The North East Ambulance Service sent 14 ambulance resources to the scene. A Section 60 order, giving officers additional stop and search powers, was in place in the area until 7:15pm on Sunday. The A66 remained closed between Normanby Road and Church Lane almost 36 hours after the crash.