Two officers killed in horror crash during police pursuit have been identified
Police officers Matthew Blades and Tom Clough are the first victims to be named after a horror crash on a Middlesbrough motorway killed seven.
Earlier today (22 August), it was reported that a fatal collision had occurred during a police chase on the A66 road in South Bank, after a Volkswagen Passat collided with the patrol car.
According to a report from Cleveland Police, officers had been pursuing the Passat when it travelled onto the wrong side of the A66, colliding with the car carrying officers Matthew Blades and Tom Clough.
It's understood that PC Blades and PC Clough had been travelling in the right direction when the collision occurred.
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All five occupants of the Passat were also pronounced dead at the scene.
Police are still working to formally identify all occupants of the Volkswagen Passat but have informed the families of those identified and offered them specialist support.
The A66 is closed in both directions between Normanby Road and Church Lane in Eston, with a drone exclusion zone in effect over the area.
A spokesperson for Cleveland Police added that the road would be closed for 'some time.
Redcar MP Anna Turley has since paid tribute to both Blades and Clough as well as the five others killed, writing: "Cleveland Police have confirmed that seven people have sadly lost their lives. Their families and loved ones are now facing an unimaginable loss that will be felt forever.
"Two of the seven people who have lost their lives were Cleveland Police officers, on duty serving our community. They went to work to keep people safe and they should have come home to their families," she continued.
“Their loss will be felt deeply by their loved ones, fellow officers and right across the communities they served.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has also commented on the incident, saying that he was 'devastated' to learn of the deaths.
"Words cannot describe the pain the Cleveland Police family are feeling today," added Cleveland Police Federation chairwoman Lauren Somerville in a tribute.
"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."
Police watchdog has launched investigation
It has also been confirmed that the incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), following a mandatory referral from the force.
Investigators have been sent to the scene to review evidence, with the IOPC cooperating with Cleveland Police to establish the events which led to the crash.
"This is a tragic incident, and my thoughts are with family and friends and all those affected, including the emergency services in attendance," IOPC director of investigations, Nicola Marfleet, said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Victoria Fuller, Chief Constable of Cleveland Police, has urged people not to speculate while the investigation is ongoing.
Calling it an 'incredibly sad' day for Cleveland, she added: "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."
Topics: UK News
Brenna Cooper