The collision, which happened at around 3.39am, involved a marked Cleveland Police vehicle and a Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong way along the dual carriageway, with all seven occupants pronounced dead at the scene.
Mr Burnham’s message of condolence came as local leaders, including Redcar MP Anna Turley and Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, began paying tribute to those who lost their lives in what police described as a “devastating incident” that will be felt across the North East.
Mr Burnham said he was “devastated” to hear that two police officers and five members of the public had been killed in a crash between a police car and a Volkswagen going the wrong way on the A66 near Middlesbrough.
He posted on X: “Devastated to hear that two police officers have lost their lives while on duty in Cleveland this morning, as well as five members of the public.
“My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of everyone involved, and with everyone at Cleveland Police.
“Thank you to the emergency services responding in incredibly difficult circumstances.
“I would urge people to avoid speculation at this time.”
Anna Turley, MP for the Redcar constituency where the crash happened, said: “My heart goes out to every family, friend and loved one now facing the most unimaginable loss following this morning’s devastating accident on the A66.
“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.
Anna Turley (Image: NEWSQUEST)
“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.
“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.
“I cannot begin to imagine how difficult this has been for the emergency services responding to such a devastating incident.
“Thank you to every one of them for their courage, care and professionalism.
“I am being kept updated by Cleveland Police and by the Home Office as Minister and will share further official information when appropriate.”
Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen described the crash on the A66 as “a horrible and tragic incident”, adding “our police officers are heroes”.
Ben Houchen (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
He told the Press Association: “A horrible and tragic incident in South Bank 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.”
Cleveland police and crime commissioner Matt Storey said the crash on the A66, in which two police officers died, was “tragic” and “devastating”.
He said: “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.
“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.
“On behalf of everyone at the office of the police and crime commissioner and the people of Cleveland, I extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of all seven people who lost their lives.
“I also give my sincere thanks to the staff from all our emergency services who responded to, and are continuing to manage, this devastating incident.”
David Taylor and Stephen Martin, councillors for the Eston ward, where the crash happened, said they were “deeply saddened” by the “unimaginable tragedy”.
A post on their Facebook page read: “We are deeply saddened by the devastating news that seven people have lost their lives following a collision on the A66 at South Bank in the early hours of this morning.
“Those who died include two serving Cleveland Police officers travelling in a marked police vehicle and five members of the public travelling in a Volkswagen Passat.
“My heartfelt condolences go to the families, friends and loved ones of everyone who tragically lost their life.
“My thoughts are also with the officers’ colleagues across Cleveland Police, the wider policing family and all the emergency service personnel who attended such a distressing incident.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy that will be felt deeply throughout TS6 and communities across Cleveland and around the country.
“Absolutely heartbreaking.”
The chairwoman of Cleveland Police Federation said “words cannot describe the pain” following the death of two police officers in a crash on the A66.
Lauren Somerville said: “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.
“Cleveland Police Federation will be offering full support to our fallen colleagues’ families and they have all of our love and care at this time.
“When the time is right we will pay full tribute to our brave colleagues.
“But we can assure that their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
In a statement, the federation said it was supporting the two officers’ close colleagues and asked people to “spare a thought” for the Cleveland Police officers at work following the deaths.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp called for “time and space” for an investigation to be completed into the circumstances around the crash near Middlesbrough that killed seven people.
He said: “My thoughts are with the families and friends of those officers killed in the line of duty earlier today as well as those serving in Cleveland Police, the wider police family and all the emergency services who attend the scene.
“The police and IPOC must be given the time and space to complete their investigations without speculation.”
Crime and policing minister Sarah Jones said “we ask so much of our officers” after the crash on the A66, in which two police officers died.
She said on X: “I just spoke to the Chief Constable of Cleveland Police.
“We ask so much of our officers.
“My thoughts are with all those who have lost their lives – and their loved ones, friends and colleagues.
“I can only imagine the devastation they must be feeling.
“The IOPC will now lead the investigation into the circumstances of the incident.
“I would ask people to avoid speculation and allow the investigation to take its course.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the crash on the A66 in which seven people died was “devastating”.
She said: “A devastating incident in Teesside this morning in which seven people have died, including two police officers.
“Cleveland police have my support as they work to identify all those involved.
“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.”
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