Family of police officer killed in crash with car driving wrong way down motorway pay tribute

Two of the police officers killed in a tragic collision on the A66 have been pictured for the first time as tributes flooded in for the 'brave' pair.

PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, were sadly killed on Saturday (22 August) after a Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong way down the dual carriageway struck their police car.

The on-duty officers were in a marked armed response vehicle when the deadly collision - which also claimed the lives of five young men - took place in the early hours in South Bank, near Middlesbrough.

Flowers and tributes have been laid close to the scene of the fatal crash which has rocked the community in North Yorkshire, while condolences have been shared online for the seven victims.

Further details about PC Blades and PC Clough have been released over the weekend, following an emotional statement that was issued by Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller on Saturday afternoon.

"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," Fuller said.

Tributes have poured in for the victims of the deadly A66 crash (Richard McCarthy/PA Wire)

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into the circumstances leading up to the deadly crash following a mandatory referral from Cleveland Police.

Other officers had spotted a suspicious vehicle and a pursuit began before the car travelled onto the A66 and collided with a police car, the watchdog said.

It is understood the police vehicle that PC Blades and PC Clough were travelling in was not part of the pursuit.

Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey urged the public to avoid online speculation amid the official probe.

Storey said: "The IOPC will do their work, the force will do their work, and that will give an official view of what’s happened. Social media can be quite dangerous when rumours get spread around, and we need to make sure that the information is correct." He also paid tribute to the two officers who lost their lives while describing the force as a 'really tight-knit family' and saying that the incident 'will have a big impact on them'.

PC Clough's family pay tribute to 'our hero'

PC Tom Clough was described as a 'hero' by his loved ones (Cleveland Police)

In a statement issued through Cleveland Police, the family of PC Clough said on Sunday: "He was our hero with a fantastic of humour. Jumped into action whenever needed, and willing to help anyone for any reason.

"Proudly fought for his country to make the world a better place. Always on public duty throughout his short life.

"We as a family and Tom's partner would like to express our sincere gratitude for the overwhelming support and condolences from friends, colleagues and the wider community."

PC Blades, a husband and father-of-two, had recently become a coach at local football club Seaton Carew FC and was excited to start teaching his son, the club said in an emotional statement.

PC Matthew Blades, a father-of-two, also died in the fatal collision on the A66 (Facebook)

He was set to lead the under-sevens Seahawks squad, a team that one of his children is set to be a part of. His eldest child also plays for Seaton Carew FC.

Paying tribute to the fallen police officer, the club said in a social media post: "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.

"Matty and his oldest son are much-loved members of our club and our U10 Lions football family.

"Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Matty’s wife, his two boys, and all of his family and friends at this incredibly difficult and heartbreaking time.

"We also stand alongside Matty’s colleagues and friends within the police service, who have tragically lost members of their force. All club flags are flying at half mast as a sign of respect."

A GoFundMe has been launched in honour of PC Blades and PC Clough, with the money raised going towards the families of both officers to 'assist them in any way as they try to navigate this traumatic time'.

The five young men who were travelling in the Volkswagen Passat have also been named and pictured (Facebook)

On Sunday afternoon, Cleveland Police formally identified the five victims who were travelling in the Volkswagen Passat.

Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Cole Robert Worthy, 16, Jacob Matusiak, 23, and Makai Saddington, 18, also sadly died in the collision on Saturday.

In a short statement, the force said: "Cleveland Police can now confirm the names of the five people who sadly died in the Volkswagen Passat involved in the collision on the A66.

"Family Liaison Officers are continuing to work with the families all of those who sadly lost their lives in the collision."

Ring doorbell footage appeared to show police cars following the Passat minutes before the crash happened.

Cleveland Police Federation chairwoman Lauren Somerville also said earlier: "Words cannot describe the pain the Cleveland Police family are feeling today.

"Our colleagues who should have been going home to their loved ones at the end of their shifts are not. And that is just unfathomable."