The families of two police officers killed in a devastating head-on crash near Middlesbrough have paid deeply personal tributes to the men, describing them as heroes whose deaths have left an unimaginable void.

PC Tom Clough, 38, and PC Matthew Blades, 37, were killed when a Volkswagen Passat travelling in the wrong direction on the A66 collided with their marked armed response vehicle in Teesside early on Saturday.

Five men travelling in the Passat also died in the collision. They were named as Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, Michael Robert Cahill, 23, and Jakub Matusiak, 23.

The deaths have sent shockwaves through Cleveland Police and communities across the region, with tributes continuing to pour in for all seven victims.

PC Clough’s family described him as their “hero with a fantastic sense of humour”, saying he was someone who always stepped forward when others needed help.

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

The statement also paid tribute to his military service, saying he had “proudly fought for his country to make the world a better place”.

They added that he was “always on public duty throughout his short life” and thanked friends, colleagues and members of the wider community for the support offered since his death.

For PC Blades’ family, the loss has been equally devastating. His wife described him as her beloved husband, best friend and a devoted father to their two young boys.

“No words will ever feel like the right words to honour our Matt,” she said.

“The pain of losing him is beyond words, and our lives will never be the same.”

She said the love he gave his family would never disappear and that their children would grow up knowing what an incredible father he was.

His wife added that although he died while carrying out the duty he believed in, his greatest legacy would always be the love he gave to his family.

The poignant tributes came as a fundraiser established for the officers’ families passed £200,000 by Sunday evening. Organised by the Cleveland Police Federation, the appeal is intended to support both families as they deal with the aftermath of the tragedy.

The money will be divided equally between them and can be used “as they so wish” while they try to navigate what the federation described as a traumatic period.

The circumstances surrounding the collision are now the subject of a major investigation.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has been notified because the fatal crash followed a police pursuit involving the Volkswagen Passat.

The watchdog said PC Blades and PC Clough were not involved in the original pursuit. Instead, their vehicle had been called to the area to assist officers searching for the Passat.

According to the IOPC, Cleveland Police had received intelligence relating to numerous incidents linked to the vehicle. The Passat was subsequently spotted and was believed to be displaying cloned number plates.

The vehicle’s registration activated an automatic number plate recognition camera, prompting an armed response vehicle to begin following it.

The pursuit lasted just under seven minutes before the Passat entered the A66 at South Bank travelling against the flow of traffic.

At that point, police abandoned the pursuit.

However, around 10 seconds later, the Passat collided with the marked police vehicle carrying PC Blades and PC Clough. The officers’ vehicle had not been directly involved in the preceding pursuit.

All five occupants of the Passat and both police officers were pronounced dead at the scene.

The IOPC said it had already obtained initial accounts from officers involved in the pursuit, as well as the incident log and in-car footage.

Derrick Campbell, the watchdog’s Director of Engagement, said investigators were continuing to gather evidence.

“Our thoughts continue to be with the family and friends and all those affected by yesterday’s collision,” he said.

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

He added that work remained under way to obtain additional material as investigators establish exactly what happened in the moments before the crash.

Meanwhile, separate tributes have emerged for the five young men who died in the Passat.

Friends and relatives have described themselves as heartbroken and unable to believe that the five men are gone.

One tribute described Rae, Worthy and Saddington as some of “the most kindest lads about”, while another praised Matusiak as a funny, caring and kind-hearted person who could light up a room.

The community response has included plans for balloon releases in memory of the five young men at different locations during the week, including South Bank.

A silent prayer vigil has also been announced at St John the Evangelist Church in South Bank.

The parish priest said prayers would be offered for those who lost their lives, as well as for their families, friends, colleagues and everyone struggling with grief.

The outpouring of emotion comes as questions remain about the events that led to the fatal journey on the A66.

Police have previously said the Passat was believed to have been connected to a series of incidents in the Middlesbrough area. The vehicle was also believed to have been associated with another car involved in earlier reports of dangerous driving.

Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the pursuit, the decision to abandon it and the moments immediately before the Passat entered the wrong side of the dual carriageway.

The deaths of PC Blades and PC Clough have also prompted renewed discussion about the risks faced by emergency workers responding to incidents on the roads.

PC Blades was a married father and was known outside policing for his dedication to football coaching. PC Clough was remembered by his family not only for his police service but also for his willingness to help others and his previous service in the armed forces.

For their colleagues, the tragedy has been felt across the force.

Flowers have been left at the crash scene and at Cleveland Police headquarters, while messages of support have arrived from members of the public and policing communities.

The fundraiser has provided another way for people to show their support, with donations reflecting the strength of feeling surrounding the deaths.

But for the families, the attention surrounding the investigation and the public tributes cannot lessen the personal loss.

PC Clough’s relatives have lost a son, partner and beloved family member. PC Blades’ wife and two young children have lost a husband and father who, in his wife’s words, will remain at the heart of their family.

As investigators continue their work, the seven families are left to face the difficult days ahead.

For the families of the two officers, however, their loved ones will be remembered not simply for the circumstances in which they died, but for the lives they lived, the people they helped and the love they gave to those closest to them.

Their final duty ended in tragedy, but the tributes have made clear the lasting impact both men had on their families, colleagues and communities.