A66 crash: Watchdog investigating after multiple people killed in police pursuit on Teesside

Seven people have died, including two police officers, after a VW travelling in the wrong direction crashed into a police vehicle following a chase.

Fourteen ambulance crews were sent to the devastating incident involving two serving officers in a marked police car and five members of the public in a Volkswagen Passat.

The Passat was travelling the wrong way along the A66 and collided with a police armed response vehicle that was travelling in the right direction at about 3.39am in South Bank, near Middlesborough in Teesside, Cleveland Police said.

Sadly, all occupants of both vehicles were pronounced dead at the scene.

The two police officers were named as Pc Matthew Blades and Pc Tom Clough by Cleveland Police chief constable Victoria Fuller, who said it was “an incredibly sad day for Cleveland”.

“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,” she said in an emotional statement delivered outside the force’s Middlesbrough headquarters.

“My thoughts and thoughts of everybody here at Cleveland Police are with their family, friends, colleagues and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.

“Earlier today, the deputy chief constable and I visited Matthew and Tom’s families to offer our condolences, support one another and begin to come to terms with this unimaginable loss.”

She added that all occupants in the Passat had now been identified and family liaison officers were being deployed to support the bereaved.

The police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed it has launched an investigation into the fatal crash.

Officers from Cleveland Police spotted a suspicious vehicle and a pursuit began before the car travelled onto the A66 and collided with a police car, the watchdog said.

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.

“Our investigation is in the very early stages, we have sent investigators to the post incident procedures to begin reviewing evidence.

“When someone dies following police contact, it is mandatory that the matter is referred to the IOPC. Our role is to establish and examine the circumstances of what happened; this work is already underway, and Cleveland Police is cooperating with our enquiries.”

Prime minister Andy Burnham said he was “devastated” by news of the tragedy.

“My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of everyone involved, and with everyone at Cleveland Police,” he said in a post on X.

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood paid tribute to the officers, who were on active duty, adding: “Police officers put their own safety on the line to protect their communities every single day.

“The two officers were on active duty, serving the people of Cleveland. My thoughts are with all those affected, their families, friends, the emergency services who attended the scene and the wider police family.”

Anna Turley, MP for the Redcar constituency where the crash happened, said she was “deeply saddened” and warned people against speculating online.

“Cleveland Police have confirmed that seven people have sadly lost their lives,” she added. “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.

“Their loss will be felt deeply by their loved ones, fellow officers and right across the communities they served.”

The MP thanked emergency services for their “courage, care and professionalism” responding to the shocking crash, adding: “Cleveland Police are investigating the accident, alongside the Independent Office for Police Conduct. It is crucial that we respect that process and avoid speculation at this deeply painful time.”

The road is closed in both directions between Normanby Road and Church Lane. The stretch is bordered by large industrial units to the north and is close to the major Teesworks site.

There is significant emergency response at the scene and people should use alternative routes as the road “will remain closed for some time”, Cleveland Police said.

Chief constable Victoria Fuller said: “First and foremost, our thoughts are with the families of everyone involved in today’s incident.

“No one should leave their home and not return safely, including police officers serving their communities and protecting the people of Cleveland.

“This tragic incident will be felt across Cleveland, within our communities and throughout the entire policing family. We are providing specialist support to all families involved at this extremely difficult time.

“The investigation has been referred to the IOPC, which is the standard approach when a death occurs following police contact. We will cooperate fully with their investigation.

“While this investigation takes place, we strongly urge people to avoid speculation.”

The chairwoman of Cleveland Police Federation, Lauren Somerville, said “words cannot describe the pain” of losing two officers.

“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,” she said.

Cleveland police and crime commissioner, Matt Storey, paid tribute to all seven victims.

“There are few words that can bring comfort to the family, friends and colleagues of the seven people who have lost their lives in this tragic incident,” he said.

“Our thoughts are with everyone affected and with those who are continuing to come to terms with this unimaginable loss, including colleagues at Cleveland Police, who will feel the profound loss of two of their serving officers.”

David Taylor and Stephen Martin, councillors for the Eston ward, said they were “deeply saddened” by the “unimaginable tragedy”.

A North East Ambulance Service spokesman said they sent 14 ambulances resources to the scene, including emergency ambulance crews, a specialist paramedic, our Hazardous Area Response Team and a doctor from Great North Air Ambulance Service.

“Sadly despite the best efforts of everyone attending, a number of patients died at the scene,” the spokesman added. “We send condolences to all of those affected by such a tragic event and thank everyone for all they did to help.”

More follows on this breaking news story….