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

Heartfelt tributes have been made to two police officers who lost their lives in a devastating crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough. Their families have spoken publicly about the immense grief they are experiencing, describing the loss as a pain that cannot be put into words.

PC Tom Clough, 38, and PC Matthew Blades, 37, were killed when the police vehicle they were travelling in was struck by a Volkswagen Passat that was reportedly travelling in the wrong direction on the A66 in Teesside. The fatal collision happened during the early hours of Saturday morning and claimed the lives of everyone involved.

The deaths of the two officers have deeply affected their families, colleagues and the wider policing community. Tributes released through Cleveland Police portrayed both men as dedicated public servants who were deeply loved by those closest to them.

PC Tom Clough remembered as a courageous soldier and devoted public servant

PC Tom Clough’s family described him as a “hero” who was known for his wonderful sense of humour and willingness to help others whenever he was needed.

In their tribute, they recalled a man who was always ready to step forward when someone needed assistance. They said he had spent his life serving others and had proudly defended his country before joining the police.

Clough had previously served as a soldier during British military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Former colleagues from his military career remembered him with great affection, describing him as a fantastic soldier and a loyal friend.

His family said his commitment to helping people extended throughout his military and police careers. They described him as someone who had always wanted to make the world a better place and who remained committed to public service throughout his relatively short life.

“He was our hero with a fantastic sense of humour,” his family said in their statement. They added that he would immediately take action whenever someone needed help and would never hesitate to assist others.

The family also expressed their gratitude to the people who had supported them following the tragedy. The overwhelming messages of sympathy from friends, colleagues and members of the public have provided some comfort during an extraordinarily difficult period.

PC Matthew Blades remembered as a loving husband and father

PC Matthew Blades’ wife paid an especially emotional tribute to her husband, describing him as her beloved partner, closest friend and a devoted father to their two young children.

She said there were no words capable of adequately describing the man Matthew was or the devastating impact his death had left behind.

According to his wife, Blades was not only a dedicated police officer but also a much-loved member of his extended family. He was an adored son and brother, a cherished son-in-law and a fun-loving uncle who brought happiness to those around him.

She described him as someone who was loved enormously by his family and friends, saying his absence had created a void that could never truly be filled.

Blades’ wife also paid tribute to his courage and dedication as a police officer. She said he had given his life while carrying out the duty he believed in, protecting and serving members of the public with bravery, commitment and selflessness.

The family now faces the difficult task of raising their children without him. His wife said they would ensure that the children grew up knowing what an extraordinary father he had been.

She also emphasized that although Matthew was no longer physically with them, the love he had given his family would remain forever.

Her tribute concluded with a deeply emotional description of him as their “superhero” — a husband and father who would remain loved and missed for the rest of their lives.

Five other people also died in the collision

The devastating crash did not only claim the lives of the two police officers. Five teenagers and young men travelling in the Volkswagen Passat also died.

They have been identified as Makai Saddington, 18, Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Cole Robert Worthy, 17, and Jakub Matusiak, 23.

There were no survivors from the collision.

Their deaths have also prompted an outpouring of grief from relatives, friends and members of the local community. Messages posted online have highlighted how young the victims were and how many people had been affected by their deaths.

Sharon Morgan paid tribute to her 18-year-old nephew, Makai Saddington, describing the pain of losing someone so young and full of life as impossible to express.

She remembered him as someone who had brought happiness and affection to his family and said his memory would remain with them forever.

Michael Cahill’s mother, Kelly Cahill, also shared a heartbreaking message for her son. She referred to him affectionately as her boy and expressed her hope that he would now be at peace with his father.

Friends of Theo Rae also spoke about the devastating effect his death had on those who knew him. One close friend said that watching his family experience such overwhelming heartbreak had been one of the hardest things she had ever witnessed.

She remembered Theo for regularly checking in on his friends and making sure everyone was doing well. His sudden death, she said, was difficult to comprehend.

Another tribute described the five young men as kind-hearted and well-liked, with friends urging people to remember them for the lives they lived rather than simply the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

Police pursuit had taken place shortly before the crash

The circumstances leading up to the tragedy are now the subject of an investigation.

Cleveland Police said officers had initially noticed the Volkswagen Passat behaving suspiciously. The vehicle was reportedly believed to be using cloned number plates and had been connected with information relating to several incidents.

Officers began following the car in the South Bank area of Middlesbrough. The pursuit continued for several minutes as the vehicle travelled through the area.

According to investigators, the Passat eventually entered the A66 travelling against the normal flow of traffic. Police then called off the pursuit.

However, only around 10 seconds after the pursuit had been abandoned, the Volkswagen collided with an oncoming police vehicle at approximately 3:39 a.m.

The police vehicle involved in the fatal collision was not the same vehicle that had been pursuing the Passat. The officers inside were reportedly in the area while assisting with efforts to locate the vehicle.

The circumstances surrounding the pursuit and the subsequent collision are now being examined in detail.

Independent watchdog launches investigation

The Independent Office for Police Conduct, known as the IOPC, has opened an investigation into the incident following a mandatory referral from Cleveland Police.

The watchdog has acknowledged the devastating consequences of the crash for the officers’ families, colleagues and the broader policing community.

IOPC director of engagement Derrick Campbell offered condolences to everyone affected by the tragedy.

Investigators have already obtained initial accounts from officers involved in the pursuit, along with the relevant incident log and footage recorded from police vehicles. Additional evidence is expected to be gathered as the investigation continues.

The purpose of the investigation will include examining the circumstances surrounding the police pursuit and determining what happened in the moments leading up to the fatal collision.

Community mourns as investigation continues

The tragedy has left the local community in mourning. Flowers, balloons and other tributes have been placed near the crash site as people remember those who died.

Residents living close to the area also described hearing police vehicles travelling at high speed shortly before the collision. Doorbell camera footage from nearby Lime Road reportedly captured several police vehicles travelling through the area with emergency lights and sirens activated.

The A66 was subsequently closed in both directions between Normanby Road and Church Lane in Eston while investigators examined the scene.

A large temporary structure was erected over the crash site as specialist teams worked to document evidence and inspect the wreckage. Numerous emergency service vehicles were present while the investigation was underway.

For the families of PC Tom Clough and PC Matthew Blades, however, the investigation cannot change the devastating reality that two beloved husbands, fathers, sons, brothers and friends are no longer coming home.

Their families have asked that their loved ones be remembered not simply for the tragic circumstances of their deaths, but for the courage, kindness, humour and dedication they showed throughout their lives.

The same is true for the five other victims. Their relatives and friends are now left to grieve the loss of five young lives that ended in an unimaginable tragedy.

As the investigation continues, tributes from colleagues, relatives and members of the public continue to underline the profound impact of the A66 crash — a tragedy that has left seven families grieving and a community struggling to come to terms with an extraordinary loss.