A fatal crash on a dual carriageway near Middlesbrough has prompted an outpouring of tributes after two British police officers were among seven people killed.
PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, died in the early hours of yesterday morning when a Volkswagen Passat, travelling the wrong way, struck their marked armed response vehicle, which was heading in the correct direction.
Cleveland Police said five other victims also lost their lives. They were named as Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Cole Robert Worthy, 16, Jacob Matusiak, 23, and Makai Saddington, 18.
PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said he had reached out to Cleveland Police to offer condolences, describing the incident as deeply shocking.
He said: “The tragic events in Middlesbrough this weekend were truly devastating.
“I’ve messaged [Cleveland] Chief Constable Victoria Fuller and offered my deepest condolences to the families and colleagues of PC Mathew Blades and PC Tom Clough. They remain very much in our thoughts.”
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it has launched an investigation into the circumstances leading up to the collision, which happened at 3.39am yesterday in South Bank, following a mandatory referral from Cleveland Police.
According to the watchdog, officers had earlier spotted a vehicle they deemed suspicious and a pursuit began before the car moved onto the A66 and crashed into a police vehicle.
It is understood the vehicle carrying PC Blades and PC Clough was not involved in the pursuit.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was “devastated” by news of the crash, and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said her thoughts were with everyone affected.
