Police release statement on A66 funeral of Theo Rae

Theo Rae’s funeral will take place at Teesside Crematorium this afternoon (Monday, September 7), with Cleveland Police warning of traffic disruption.

Superintendent John Wrintmore said: “Potential traffic disruption is expected again this afternoon, Monday, September 7, from around 1pm until around 4pm, due to a funeral taking place in the area.

Theo Rae (left), 17 and Cole Robert Worthy (right), 17

“The funeral cortege will travel around Middlesbrough before moving onto St Bede’s Chapel on Acklam Road.

“The roads likely to be affected are Ladgate Lane, Ormesby Road, Cargo Fleet Lane and Acklam Road.

“We are aware of some school closures in the area and have liaised with partners in the local authorities regarding the expected disruption today. Again, these closures have not been made on the recommendation of Cleveland Police.

“We are working closely with highways departments from the local authorities, who are leading on the traffic management for this event, in order to minimise disruption.

From left to right: Makai Saddington, 18, Theo Rae, 17, Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Jakub Matusiak, 23, Michael Robert Cahill, 23

“There will be a proportionate visible police presence in the affected areas to ensure public safety, in line with our plans for any significant gathering.

“Should anyone have any concerns, please speak with officers in the area.”

Several local schools have announced they will close early today.

Acklam Whin Primary School and Green Lane School will close at 1.15pm after pupils have their usual lunch.

Acklam Grange and Outwood Academy, Acklam, will close at 12.15pm, while Newham Bridge Primary School will finish at 1pm.

Acklam Grange will provide more information about possible closures on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Pc Matthew Blades, 37, and Pc Tom Clough, 38

The closures come days after several schools shut early for the funeral of Jakub Matusiak, another victim of the A66 crash.

Theo Rae was among five men killed when their Volkswagen Passat collided with a marked Cleveland Police vehicle near South Bank on August 22.

PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, were also killed in the crash.

The Passat was travelling on the wrong side of the road when it hit the police vehicle.

Schools’ decision to close early for Jakub’s funeral sparked concern, with politicians questioning the disruption to children’s education.

A police car blocking off the A66 in the aftermath of the fatal crash

Education Secretary Lucy Powell said there were “huge anxieties and worries in the community” and called the situation “very difficult and delicate”.

She said she wanted schools to stay open but trusted headteachers to protect their pupils’ safety.

She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “As Education Secretary, I want schools to be open. I want pupils attending schools all the time.

“And these headteachers of these small number of schools have taken a very difficult decision with the local authority and the police for the safety of their school community to close early.

“What I would say is that there are huge anxieties and worries in the communities.”

Cleveland Police said Jakub’s funeral last Friday passed without incident and caused minimal traffic disruption.

Theo Rae’s funeral will take place at 2pm on Monday, September 7, at St Bede’s Chapel, Teesside Crematorium, on Acklam Road in Middlesbrough.

Makai Saddington’s funeral will take place on Tuesday, September 8, followed by Cole Worthy’s at the same crematorium on Wednesday, September 9.

The two officers’ funerals will also take place this week.

Education Secretary Lucy Powell said she had contacted local MPs and Home Office ministers to arrange surge policing and extra resources to ease tensions and improve safety.