- PCs Tom Clough and Matthew Blades were killed in a head-on collision on the A66 in Teesside while in the line of duty.
- The collision occurred when their vehicle was struck by a Volkswagen Passat travelling on the wrong side of the road, killing all five occupants of the car and bringing the total death toll to seven.
- The Independent Office for Police Conduct confirmed police had abandoned a seven-minute pursuit of the Passat 10 seconds before the crash when it drove onto the wrong side of the carriageway.
- Families paid emotional tributes, describing the officers as heroes, as a public fundraiser to support their families reached over £260,000.
- A silent prayer vigil is planned at St John the Evangelist Church in South Bank on Monday.
- Cleveland Police launched the chase after receiving intelligence relating to "numerous incidents" linked to a Passat, which activated an ANPR camera and is believed to have been using cloned plates.
- PCs Blades and Clough were not involved in the original pursuit but had been called to the area to assist with the search for the Passat.
- The police watchdog has launched an investigation into the tragic crash, gathering initial statements from officers involved, in-car footage, and incident logs.
PCs Tom Clough, 38, and Matthew Blades, 37, tragically lost their lives in a head-on collision on the A66 in Teesside while responding to a police pursuit.1
The crash occurred when a Volkswagen Passat, which had been pursued by police, struck their vehicle after the chase was aborted.2
The Independent Office for Police Conduct confirmed that the police had terminated the pursuit just 10 seconds before the crash, which resulted in the deaths of all five occupants of the Passat, bringing the total death toll to seven.3
Family members have paid heartfelt tributes, with PC Clough's family calling him “our hero” and highlighting his dedication to public service.
PC Blades' wife described him as “my beloved husband, my best friend, and the most devoted father to our two young boys.”
In response to the tragedy, a public fundraiser has raised over £260,000 to support the families of the fallen officers, with a GoFundMe page created to assist them.
The police watchdog is currently investigating the incident, gathering statements and evidence from the scene.
The community has rallied around the families, demonstrating overwhelming support during this difficult time.
“The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating after police aborted a seven-minute pursuit of the Passat just 10 seconds before the collision. The five occupants of the Passat, all aged 17 to 23, also died, bringing the total death toll to seven.”
The Independent
