The devastated wife and sons of one of the police officers killed in the A66 tragedy will pay a heartbreaking final farewell to him today.
The family of PC Matthew Blades, 37, – who described him as their ‘superhero’ – saw their world turned upside down on August 22 when he and his colleague PC Tom Clough, 38, were killed in a head-on smash with a car full of youths.
PC Blades’ funeral takes place with full police honours and a procession through his home town of Hartlepool, County Durham, attended by his wife and sons aged just eight and six. Road closures will be in place.
Ahead of today’s ceremony, Cleveland Police Federation paid tribute to PC Blades, who was known as Matty, and to the courage of his family.
Lauren Somerville, Chair of Cleveland Police Federation, said: ‘Matthew was a best friend, a husband, a father, a brother, a son and his family have said that words aren’t powerful enough to describe how they feel right now.
‘He has been described as the heart of the family and he will be remembered beyond words, today, tomorrow and always.
‘He would be so proud of all the support that has been shown from the public and from his colleagues to his family.’
The devastated wife and sons of PC Matthew Blades will pay a heartbreaking final farewell to him today after he was killed in a head-on smash on August 22
PC Tom Clough, 38, also died in the crash, which occurred around 10 seconds after a police pursuit of the Volkswagen was called off
A police officer leaves flowers at the Cleveland Police HQ Memorial Garden in Middlesbrough
Lauren added: ‘Matt’s family have shown incredible dignity and courage since those awful events in August and it is our honour to play our small part in honouring his memory.
‘The support and love we offer them does not end today. We will always be there to take care of them.’
She concluded: ‘His family have said they’re going to miss everything about him more than words can say and his laughter and silly jokes made them smile even when they least expected it. He’s been described as bringing light and laughter into every room and now life feels unbearably quiet without him.’
A GoFundMe page set up by the federation raised £1.2million in donations to be split between the families of PCs Blades and Clough.
Sarah Blades paid tribute to her husband the day after the tragedy which claimed his life.
She said: ‘No words will ever feel like the right words to honour our Matt – my beloved husband, my best friend, and the most devoted father to our two young boys.
‘He was an adored son and brother, a perfect son-in-law, and the most fun uncle. He was loved beyond words by all his family and friends, and his loss has left a space that can never be filled.
‘He gave his life in the line of duty, protecting and serving others with courage, dedication and selflessness.
Jakub Matusiak, 23, Makai Saddington, 18, Michael Cahill, 23, Cole Worthy, 17, (right) and Theo Rae, 17, (left) were also killed in the smash. Cole’s funeral also takes place today
‘The pain of losing him is beyond words, and our lives will never be the same. Neither will the love he gave us ever fade.
‘Our children will grow up knowing what an incredible father he was and will always be, and I will carry his love, his memory and everything we shared with me always.
‘He may have left this world committed to the duty he believed in, but his greatest legacy will always be the love he gave to his family.
‘We would also like to express our deepest gratitude and heartfelt thanks to all of the emergency services and to our police family who have stood beside us through the most difficult time of our lives.
‘The kindness, compassion, love and unwavering support we have received as a family has meant more to us than words could ever express. Every message, visit, gesture of support and every person who has stood alongside us will never be forgotten.
‘Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever our superhero. Our Matt and Dad.’
The two officers were killed at 3.39am on Saturday August 22nd when their armed response vehicle was struck at South Bank, near Middlesbrough, by a speeding VW Passat containing five youths and young men aged between 17 and 23.
Jakub Matusiak, 23, Makai Saddington, 18, Michael Cahill, 23, Cole Worthy, 17, and Theo Rae, 17, were also killed in the smash. Cole Worthy’s funeral also takes place today in Middlesbrough.
Police said the five all had links to organised crime and had been trying to flee police when they drove the wrong way up the A66 into the police vehicle.
The VW Passat had set out in pursuit of a Volvo XC60 which had rammed the homes of relatives of Worthy and Rae as part of a tit for tat gangland turf war over the supply of drugs on Teesside.
PCs Matthew Blades with his two children and a Manchester mascot
PC Blades’ sons led out the Manchester United team as mascots for Premier League match against Ipswich Town on August 30
PC Clough and Blades died from severe head and neck injuries at the scene.
Away from his work as a Cleveland police response officer, PC Blades was heavily involved in the Hartlepool football scene, inspiring his own children and other youngsters as a much-loved coach.
He worked at two clubs in the town – FC Hartlepool and, more recently, Seaton Carew. Both clubs have paid tributes, with FC Hartlepool under 10s to become known as FC Blades.
The club said: ‘Some things in football mean far more than the result. The FC U10 Reds have changed their name to FC Blades in tribute to coach Matt, whose influence on the team and everyone around it will never be forgotten.
‘Yesterday marked the beginning of that new chapter, with The Blades taking to the pitch for the first time under their new name. And the boys started the season brightly, playing some good football to win their opening game.
‘A new name and a new season, but one that will always carry Matt’s influence and memory with it. FC Blades.’
A spokesperson for the club added: ‘Matty was so much more than a coach. He was a role model, a mentor, a friend, and someone the children looked up to and admired. He was able to share his love of football with his son while inspiring and supporting every child on the team.
‘Matty gave his time, energy, and heart to the team. He encouraged the boys, believed in them, supported them, and helped them grow – not only as footballers but as young people. His kindness, patience, and infectious personality made him loved by all who had the privilege of knowing him.’
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