Moving tributes have been paid to two police officers who died in a devastating collision near Middlesbrough, with their families describing the loss as a pain that “is beyond words” as the investigation into the crash continues.

PC Tom Clough, 38, and PC Matthew Blades, 37, were killed when the marked police vehicle they were travelling in was struck by a Volkswagen Passat travelling on the wrong side of the A66 in Teesside during the early hours of Saturday.

Both officers died at the scene.

Their deaths have left colleagues, relatives and members of the wider community mourning two men remembered not only for their commitment to policing, but also for their roles as husbands, fathers, sons, brothers and friends.

In tributes released through Cleveland Police, the families of the officers spoke about the devastation of losing loved ones who had gone to work and never returned home.

PC Clough’s family described him as a “hero with a fantastic sense of humour”.

“He was our hero with a fantastic sense of humour,” they said. “Jumped into action whenever needed, and willing to help anyone for any reason.”

They also remembered his service to his country and his dedication to public duty.

“Proudly fought for his country to make the world a better place. Always on public duty throughout his short life,” the family said.

Their tribute reflected the pride they felt in Clough while also acknowledging the enormous void created by his death.

PC Blades’ wife issued an equally emotional tribute to her husband, describing him as her “best friend” and a devoted father.

She said he had been an adored son and brother, a much-loved son-in-law and a fun uncle who was cherished by his family and friends.

“He was loved beyond words by all his family and friends, and his loss has left a space that can never be filled,” she said.

The tribute went on to describe how Blades died while carrying out his duty.

“He gave his life in the line of duty, protecting and serving others with courage, dedication and selflessness,” his wife said.

“The pain of losing him is beyond words, and our lives will never be the same. Neither will the love he gave us ever fade.”

She ended her tribute with a message to the husband and father she had lost: “Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever our superhero. Our Matt and Dad.”

The emotional tributes came as members of the public continued to show their support for both families.

A fundraiser established by Cleveland Police to assist the relatives of the two officers has now raised more than £230,000.

Organisers said the money would be divided equally between the two families, while the Cleveland Police Federation would continue offering support to those affected by the tragedy.

Flowers and other tributes have also been left close to the scene of the crash.

The collision claimed seven lives in total.

The five occupants of the Volkswagen Passat were also killed.

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

No one survived the collision.

Their deaths have prompted separate expressions of grief from friends and relatives, even as investigators continue examining the circumstances that led to the fatal crash.

Sharon Morgan, who described Saddington as her beloved nephew, said there were no words capable of expressing the pain of losing someone so young.

“You brought so much love and happiness into our family, and your memory will stay with us forever,” she wrote.

She said the teenager had left a space in the family that could never be filled.

Michael Cahill’s mother, Kelly Cahill, also paid tribute to her son.

“Fly high my boy forever 23 and go and be at peace with ya dad,” she wrote, adding a heartbreaking message asking him to keep a place for her until they meet again.

Theo Rae’s friends also struggled to comprehend his death.

Ellie Webster, who described herself as a close friend, spoke about the impact his death had had on those closest to him.

She remembered his daily check-ins and his concern for the people around him, saying she would miss those conversations and wishing she could take away the pain being experienced by his mother.

“It just doesn’t seem real,” she said.

Another tribute shared photographs of all five young men and described them as “top lads” with “kind hearts”.

The messages illustrate the different worlds left grieving after the crash, with the families of the officers mourning men who died while serving the public and the families of the five passengers mourning their own sons, relatives and friends.

Meanwhile, investigators are working to establish exactly what happened during the minutes before the collision.

Cleveland Police said officers had begun pursuing the Volkswagen after spotting it behaving suspiciously.

The pursuit began in South Bank, near Middlesbrough, before the Passat entered the A66 travelling in the wrong direction.

Police eventually abandoned the pursuit because of the extreme danger posed by the vehicle travelling against the flow of traffic.

But just 10 seconds later, the Volkswagen collided with the marked armed response vehicle carrying PC Clough and PC Blades.

The officers who died were not involved in the original pursuit.

They were reportedly in the area assisting with the search for the vehicle when their car was struck.

Doorbell camera footage recorded on nearby Lime Road appears to show multiple police vehicles travelling at speed shortly before the crash.

The footage was recorded at around 3.36am, approximately three minutes before the fatal collision.

Neil Hutchinson, a resident of Teesville, told the Mail on Sunday that police cars had been travelling through the area with their lights and sirens activated.

“There were police cars tearing down the street at 3.30am with lights flashing and their sirens going, it woke me up,” he said.

The circumstances surrounding the pursuit and the decision to end it are now being examined by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

The IOPC opened an investigation following a mandatory referral from Cleveland Police.

In an update, the watchdog said officers had pursued the Passat for approximately seven minutes before abandoning the chase when the vehicle entered the A66 travelling in the wrong direction.

The force had received intelligence relating to numerous incidents associated with the vehicle, which was suspected of using cloned number plates.

The police vehicle carrying Blades and Clough was struck just seconds after the pursuit ended.

IOPC director of engagement Derrick Campbell said the watchdog understood the devastating effect of the incident on Cleveland Police and the wider policing community.

“We recognise the devastating impact the incident has had on those in the force, and the wider policing community, and offer our condolences,” Campbell said.

Investigators have already obtained initial accounts from officers involved in the pursuit, as well as the incident log and in-car footage.

Additional evidence is expected to be gathered as the investigation continues.

The crash has also resulted in a significant road closure as investigators examine the wreckage and reconstruct the collision.

The A66 was closed in both directions between Normanby Road and Church Lane in Eston.

A large white forensic tent was erected over the crash site while emergency service vehicles remained in the area.

The location is surrounded by large industrial units and lies close to the Teesworks development.

As investigators continue their work, the focus will remain on establishing the precise sequence of events, including the pursuit, the decision to terminate it and what happened during the crucial seconds that followed.

For the families of PC Clough and PC Blades, however, the investigation cannot change the reality of what happened.

Two officers who went to work to serve and protect their community lost their lives in the line of duty.

Their colleagues have been left grieving, while their families face a future without the men they described as heroes, devoted fathers and beloved husbands.

Across the region, the flowers, balloons and messages left near the A66 have become a visible reminder of the seven lives lost.

The investigation will determine how the tragedy unfolded, but for those who knew the two officers, their memories will extend far beyond the circumstances of their deaths.

They will be remembered for the people they were, the families they loved and the communities they served.