Middlesbrough, England — August 22, 2026
Seven people, including two Cleveland Police officers, have died following a devastating head-on collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough in northeast England.
The crash happened at around 3:39am on Saturday in the South Bank area. Police said a Volkswagen Passat carrying five people was travelling on the wrong side of the road when it collided with a marked police vehicle travelling in the opposite direction.
The two police officers, PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, were killed in the collision alongside five members of the public travelling in the Volkswagen. All seven victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
The collision followed a police pursuit after officers became concerned about a suspicious vehicle. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller expressed deep sorrow over the deaths, while police representatives said support was being provided to the victims’ families and colleagues.
Authorities have urged the public not to speculate while the investigation continues.
The A66 remains closed in both directions in the affected area, with motorists being advised to avoid the route and use alternative roads.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the local community, with tributes being paid to the two officers and the five other people who lost their lives.
