MIDDLESBROUGH, England — August 23, 2026
Two Cleveland Police officers have been named among seven people who died after a car travelling the wrong way along the A66 collided head-on with their marked police vehicle.
PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, were killed in the devastating crash near South Bank, Middlesbrough, at around 3:39 a.m. on Saturday.
The Volkswagen Passat was carrying five people when it travelled in the wrong direction on the dual carriageway and struck the police vehicle, which was travelling correctly. All seven people in the two vehicles died at the scene.
Police pursuit before the collision
Cleveland Police said officers had earlier spotted the Passat acting suspiciously, prompting a pursuit. The vehicle subsequently entered the A66 travelling in the wrong direction before the fatal collision.
The police vehicle carrying PCs Blades and Clough was not part of the original pursuit, according to reports, and was travelling in the correct direction when it was struck.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, but despite the response, there were no survivors.
Tributes paid to the officers
Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller described the deaths as an “incredibly sad day for Cleveland”, praising the officers for protecting their communities and serving residents.
Tributes have also come from political leaders and the wider community. Authorities have urged people not to speculate about the circumstances while the investigation continues.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, following a mandatory referral from Cleveland Police.
The tragedy has left Cleveland Police and communities across Teesside mourning the loss of two officers who were on duty when they were killed.
