Tributes have poured in for two “brave” officers who were among seven people killed in a horror crash following a police chase in the early hours of Saturday morning.
PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, died when a Volkswagen Passat, which was travelling the wrong way down the A66 near Middlesbrough, collided with their marked police vehicle that was going in the right direction.
Three teenagers were among the five people travelling in the Passat who were also killed in the crash.
They have been named as Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Cole Robert Worthy, 16, Jacob Matusiak, 23 and Makai Saddington, 18.
Their families are being supported by officers, Cleveland Police said.
Husband and father-of-two PC Blades had recently become a Seaton Carew FC coach and was preparing for his first turn teaching its under-sevens Seahawks squad.
“He was looking forward to being part of the team and, most importantly, to coaching his own son, who is going to be playing for the Seahawks this season,” the club said on social media.
“Matty and his oldest son are much-loved members of our club and our U10 Lions football family.”
Ex-frontline responder Graham Wettone, who served in the Metropolitan Police for more than three decades, said Cleveland Police staff “will literally know most people” in the force and the effect of the crash will be “massive”.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) opened an investigation into the circumstances leading to the crash at 3.39am in South Bank after a mandatory referral from the force.
Officers spotted a suspicious vehicle and a pursuit began before the car travelled onto the A66 and collided with a police car at 3.39am, the watchdog said.
The IOPC investigation was opened just after 6am on Saturday.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was “devastated” by the deaths of the two officers.
“Thank you to the emergency services responding in incredibly difficult circumstances,” he added.
Anna Turley, MP for the Redcar constituency where the crash happened, said: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the fatal collision on the A66 this morning.
“My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives, and with everyone affected by this terrible incident.
“Thank you to all of our emergency services, who have worked through the night responding to this devastating incident.”
She added: “We would ask everyone to avoid speculating online to respect the families and the police while they do their work at this terrible time.”
David Taylor and Stephen Martin, councillors for the Eston ward, said they were “deeply saddened” by the “unimaginable tragedy”.
Tees Valley mayor Baron Ben Houchen said in a statement: “A horrible and tragic incident in Southbank this morning and my thoughts are with those affected, their families and the emergency services who attended the scene.
“Our police officers are heroes who put everything on the line to protect us, and I know all of Teesside will want to pay tribute to the officers and other emergency service workers involved for the bravery they have shown in responding to this incident.”
The A66 was closed in both directions between Normanby Road and Church Lane in Eston.
Police officers manned both ends of the cordon and the crash site was not visible from the road closures.
A large white tent was erected over the scene, with multiple emergency service vehicles on the scene.
The closed section of the A66 is bordered by large industrial units to the north, and is close to the major Teesworks site.
Police put into effect a drone exclusion zone around the scene.
Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller said: “This is an incredibly sad day for Cleveland.
“This loss is being felt across our communities, by our police family, and by our partner agencies.
“These were brave officers, protecting our communities and serving our residents, who didn’t return home to their families at the end of their shift.”
North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) said it had been called to a two-vehicle crash and sent 14 units, including ambulance crews, a specialist paramedic, a hazardous area response team and a doctor from Great North Air Ambulance Service.
A spokesperson for NEAS said: “Sadly, despite the best efforts of everyone attending, a number of patients died at the scene.
“We send condolences to all of those affected by such a tragic event and thank everyone for all they did to help.”
IOPC director of investigations Nicola Marfleet said: “This is a tragic incident, and my thoughts are with family and friends and all those affected, including the emergency services in attendance.”
She added investigators have been sent to start reviewing evidence, and the watchdog is cooperating with Cleveland Police to establish the circumstances of the collision.
