TEESSIDE, England — A wave of grief has swept across the Teesside community following a devastating collision on the A66 near South Bank, close to Middlesbrough, that claimed the lives of seven people in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Among those killed were Cleveland Police officers PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, whose deaths have left their families, colleagues, and the wider policing community heartbroken.
According to information released about the incident, the fatal crash occurred at approximately 3:39 a.m. when a Volkswagen Passat travelling in the wrong direction on the A66 collided with a marked Cleveland Police vehicle. Emergency crews attended the scene, but all occupants of both vehicles were pronounced dead.
Matthew Blades and Tom Clough are being remembered not only for their roles as police officers but for the people they were away from duty — loved family members, friends, and colleagues who dedicated themselves to serving and protecting others.
Their years of service reflected a commitment to their community and to the people they worked alongside. Tributes have poured in from those mourning the loss of two officers whose lives were defined by courage, professionalism, and compassion.
The tragedy has deeply affected Cleveland Police, where colleagues are now coming to terms with the loss of two members of their force. The impact of their passing is being felt throughout the policing community and beyond.
The five other victims who died in the collision are also being remembered by their families, friends, and loved ones. Each loss represents a life filled with stories, relationships, and memories that will now be carried forward by those left behind.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, as required following a fatal incident involving police contact. Authorities have urged the public not to speculate while investigations continue.
As Teesside mourns, tributes continue to honor all seven victims of the A66 collision. Families, friends, colleagues, and community members are united in grief while remembering the lives lost in this heartbreaking tragedy.
PC Matthew Blades, PC Tom Clough, and the five other victims of the A66 crash will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all whose lives they touched.
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