A66 Crash: Families Pay Emotional Tributes to Two Police Officers Killed in Middlesbrough Collision

The families of two police officers who lost their lives in a devastating collision near Middlesbrough have spoken of their overwhelming grief, describing the loss as a tragedy that has left them facing “pain beyond words.”

Police Constables Tom Clough, aged 38, and Matthew Blades, aged 37, were killed in the early hours of Saturday after the police vehicle they were travelling in was struck by a Volkswagen Passat travelling in the wrong direction on the A66 in Teesside.

The fatal incident has left both the policing community and the wider public mourning the deaths of the two officers, who were described by their loved ones as dedicated, courageous and deeply committed to helping others.

Cleveland Police released personal tributes from the families of both officers, highlighting the qualities that made them so loved by those closest to them.

PC Tom Clough’s family remembered him as a “hero” who possessed a wonderful sense of humour and was always prepared to step forward whenever somebody needed assistance.

In their tribute, they said he had spent his life helping others and was the type of person who would willingly offer support, regardless of the circumstances.

They also spoke with pride about his commitment to his country, describing how he had served with the determination to make the world a better place. His family said he was constantly devoted to public service throughout his relatively short life.

Their words painted a picture of a man whose instinct was to help, protect and serve others, making his death particularly difficult for those who knew and loved him.

PC Matthew Blades was remembered just as warmly by his family.

His wife described him as her “best friend” and a deeply devoted father. She spoke about the important role he played within their family and the immense affection he received from relatives and friends.

She described Matthew as a much-loved son and brother, a cherished son-in-law and an uncle who brought fun and happiness to those around him.

According to his wife, the impact of his death has been impossible to put into words. His absence has created an emptiness that, she said, can never truly be filled.

She also emphasised the courage and selflessness that defined his career as a police officer.

Matthew died while carrying out his duty, protecting and serving members of the public. His family said that although the grief they are experiencing is overwhelming, the love he gave them will remain with them permanently.

They ended their tribute by calling him their superhero and saying that he would remain “forever loved” and “forever missed.”

The tragedy has also prompted a wave of public support for the families of the two officers. A fundraising campaign organised to assist their loved ones has received hundreds of thousands of pounds in donations.

More than £230,000 had been raised, with the money intended to be divided equally between the two families. The police federation has also confirmed that it will continue to offer assistance and support to the relatives of the officers during the difficult period ahead.

The crash also claimed the lives of five people who were travelling in the Volkswagen Passat.

They were named as 18-year-old Makai Saddington, 23-year-old Michael Robert Cahill, 17-year-old Theo Rae, 17-year-old Cole Robert Worthy and 23-year-old Jakub Matusiak.

None of the people involved in the collision survived.

The circumstances surrounding the crash remain the subject of an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, commonly known as the IOPC.

Cleveland Police had previously said officers became interested in the Volkswagen after it was reportedly behaving suspiciously. Officers initially followed the vehicle in the South Bank area of Middlesbrough before it entered the A66 travelling against the normal flow of traffic.

The police pursuit was subsequently brought to an end. However, only around 10 seconds later, the Volkswagen collided with the oncoming armed response vehicle carrying PC Clough and PC Blades.

The police vehicle involved in the fatal collision was not part of the original pursuit. Instead, the officers had been sent into the area to assist colleagues searching for the Volkswagen.

The loss has also devastated the families and friends of the five young people in the Passat.

Makai Saddington’s aunt, Sharon Morgan, paid tribute to her nephew in an emotional social media message. She described the 18-year-old as someone who was deeply loved and brought happiness to his family.

She said there were no words capable of adequately describing the pain caused by losing someone so young and full of life. She added that his memory would remain with the family and that the space left by his death could never be replaced.

Michael Robert Cahill’s mother, Kelly Cahill, also shared a heartbreaking message for her son.

She expressed her love for Michael and wished him peace, telling him that she hoped he would be reunited with his father. Her message reflected the devastating reality of a mother having to say goodbye to her son at just 23 years old.

Theo Rae’s friends also described the profound effect his death had on those around him.

Ellie Webster, who said she was a close friend of Theo, explained that witnessing his family experience such enormous heartbreak had been one of the most difficult things she had ever faced.

She remembered Theo for regularly checking in on people and making sure those around him were doing well. She said she would particularly miss those everyday conversations and expressed sympathy for his mother, admitting that it was difficult to imagine how the family would cope with such a devastating loss.

Other friends also paid tribute to the five people who died.

Channy Brown shared photographs of all five occupants of the Volkswagen, encouraging people to remember them as individuals rather than simply as names connected with a tragic news story.

She described them as kind-hearted young men and said they would continue to be loved and remembered by everyone who knew them.

Flowers and balloons have since been left close to the crash site as friends, relatives and members of the public attempt to pay their respects.

Tributes have appeared alongside the A66, while some families and friends have also organised balloon releases to remember those who died.

Details of the moments leading up to the collision have begun to emerge as investigators examine available evidence.

Doorbell camera footage recorded on nearby Lime Road reportedly captured several police vehicles travelling at speed shortly before the crash. The footage was recorded at approximately 3.36am, only a few minutes before the fatal collision.

Local residents also described being awakened by police vehicles travelling through the area with emergency lights and sirens activated.

The IOPC confirmed that it had opened an investigation following a mandatory referral from Cleveland Police.

The watchdog said officers had followed the Volkswagen for approximately seven minutes before abandoning the pursuit after the vehicle entered the A66 travelling in the wrong direction.

Investigators are examining information relating to several incidents that were reportedly connected to the Volkswagen. The vehicle was also suspected of displaying cloned registration plates.

The police watchdog has already obtained initial accounts from officers involved in the pursuit, along with the incident log and in-car footage. Investigators said they were continuing to gather further evidence to establish exactly what happened.

IOPC director of engagement Derrick Campbell acknowledged the enormous impact of the incident on Cleveland Police and the wider policing community.

He expressed condolences to everyone affected and said investigators understood how devastating the deaths had been for the officers’ colleagues, families and friends.

Meanwhile, the A66 section where the collision occurred was closed in both directions while investigators examined the wreckage and reconstructed the circumstances of the crash.

The affected stretch between Normanby Road and Church Lane in Eston remained an important part of the investigation. A large white forensic tent was erected over the collision site, while numerous emergency vehicles and investigators worked in the surrounding area.

The location is close to major industrial facilities and the Teesworks development, adding to the logistical challenges faced while the road remained closed.

For the families of PC Tom Clough and PC Matthew Blades, however, the investigation can never undo what has happened.

Their loved ones have been left to cope with an unimaginable loss, while colleagues across the police service mourn two officers who died while carrying out their duty.

Their families’ tributes make clear that Tom and Matthew were far more than police officers. They were husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, friends and cherished members of their communities.

As investigations continue into the circumstances of the A66 collision, tributes continue to highlight the courage and dedication of the two officers and the devastating effect their deaths have had on everyone who knew them.

Their memories, their families have said, will endure long after the investigation is complete.