PCs killed in A66 crash were heroes, say families

Two Officers Lost Their Lives Protecting the Public on a North-East Motorway

Constantvpn.com – The families of two Cleveland Police constables have spoken of their grief and pride after both men were killed in a high-speed collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough. PC Tom Clough, aged 38, and PC Matthew Blades, 37, were travelling in a marked armed response vehicle when a Volkswagen Passat travelling in the wrong direction on the dual carriageway struck them. The impact was fatal for all occupants of both vehicles.

The crash occurred on Saturday and claimed the lives of five additional people inside the Passat: Michael Robert Cahill, 23; Jacob Matusiak, 23; Theo Rae, 17; Makai Saddington, 18; and Cole Robert Worthy, 17. All seven individuals died at the scene.

Families Speak of Devotion and Sacrifice

In statements released through Cleveland Police, PC Blades’ wife described a man whose love for his family transcended language. She called him a “beloved husband” and the “most devoted father” to their two young sons, saying they would grow up knowing what an “incredible” dad he had been.

“He gave his life in the line of duty, protecting and serving others with courage, dedication and selflessness. 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. He may have left this world committed to the duty he believed in, but his greatest legacy will always be the love he gave to his family.”

She closed her tribute with the words: “Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever our superhero. Our Matt and Dad.”

PC Clough’s relatives painted a picture of a man defined by humour and selflessness. They described his “fantastic sense of humour” and his readiness to jump “into action whenever needed.” The family said he had been their “hero,” always “willing to help anyone for any reason,” and noted that he had “proudly fought for his country to make the world a better place” while remaining “on public duty throughout his short life.”

A man who had known PC Clough posted on social media that the officer had been a “true friend, fantastic soldier and I have no doubt even better police officer.”

Community Tributes Span Football Pitches and Classrooms

PC Blades had recently taken up a coaching role at Seaton Carew FC, preparing for his first season with the club’s under-sevens squad. The club described him and his family as “much loved members” of its community. Separately, FC Hartlepool, where he had coached an under-10s team, remembered him as a “role model, mentor [and] friend” whom the children had “looked up to and admired.” The club added that “his kindness, patience, and infectious personality made him loved by all who had the privilege of knowing him.”

Before entering policing, PC Blades taught English at Carmel College in Darlington. The school recalled him as an “intelligent, kind and approachable teacher” who “gave generously of himself to the young people in his care.”

Investigation Reveals Details of the Final Minutes

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which has opened an investigation into the collision, confirmed that the two officers were in the area to assist in a search for the Passat. Cleveland Police had received reports linking the vehicle to “numerous incidents.” The car was believed to be displaying cloned registration plates, which triggered an automatic number-plate recognition camera and alerted officers to its presence.

According to the IOPC, officers pursued the vehicle for almost seven minutes before the Passat turned onto the A66 in the wrong direction. At that point, officers “aborted” the pursuit. The collision followed within seconds of that decision.

Public Outpouring and Fundraising Response

On Monday morning, more than £235,000 had been pledged through an online fundraiser organised by the Cleveland Police Federation. The federation stated that the two officers had “paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty” and that they “leave behind heartbroken loved ones who will struggle to come to terms with the loss of their loved one.” The organisation said it would support the families “at this unfathomable moment,” with donations to be used “as they so wish.”

Earlier that week, a group of serving officers gathered at the police cordon on Eston Road to lay floral tributes. Several removed their hats, bowed their heads, and observed a brief silence before speaking quietly to colleagues at the scene. Some embraced one another as they walked away.

Local residents Elisia and Vincent Haarhoff also travelled to the crash site to show solidarity with the police force. “No family deserves that,” Elisia said. “God bless all the families, honestly. We wanted to come… [the police here have] always been so lovely.”

The A66 is a major arterial route linking Teesside with the wider North-East network, and the wrong-way collision on a dual carriageway underscores the particular danger posed by drivers travelling against traffic flow at speed. The incident has prompted renewed public discussion about road safety on high-speed roads in the region, while the families of all seven victims continue to receive support from Cleveland Police and local communities.