(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
The two police officers killed in this morning’s crash on the A66 were PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller said.
"This is an incredibly sad day for Cleveland," she said.
Speaking from outside Cleveland Police HQ in Middlesbrough, she added: "The loss has been felt across our communities, by our police family and by our partner agencies."
She says the two officers who died were "brave officers protecting our communities and serving our residents who didn't return home to their families at the end of their shift."
Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller
(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Chief Constable Fuller says she has visited the families of both officers to "offer our condolences and support".
Seven people, including the two police officers, died in the crash in the early hours of this morning.
A Volkswagen Passat was travelling the wrong way down the A66 near Middlesbrough and collided with a police vehicle on the same road going in the right direction, Cleveland Police said.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) opened an investigation into the circumstances leading to the crash at 3.39am in South Bank after a mandatory referral from Cleveland Police.
Officers from Cleveland Police spotted a suspicious vehicle and a pursuit began before the car travelled onto the A66 and collided with a police car, the watchdog said.
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Earlier, Prime Minister Andy 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.”
Here is the full statement from the Chief Constable
At 3.39 this morning, a Volkswagen Passat that was travelling the wrong way down the A66 has collided with a marked Cleveland Police Armed Response Vehicle, which was travelling on the correct side of the road.
Tragically, two police officers, PC Matthew Blades, aged 37, and PC Tom Clough, aged 38, died at the scene, along with the five occupants of the Passatt as a result of the collision.
This is an incredibly sad day for Cleveland. This loss is being felt across our communities, by our police family, and by our partner agencies.
These were brave officers, protecting our communities and serving our residents. Who didn’t return home to their families at the end of their shift.
My thoughts, and the thoughts of everyone at Cleveland Police, are with their families, friends, colleagues and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.
Earlier today, the Deputy Chief Constable and I visited Matthew and Tom's families to offer our condolences, support one another, and begin to come to terms with this unimaginable loss.
Formal identification has now taken place for the occupants of the Volkswagen Passat and specialist family liaison officers are being deployed to support the bereaved families.
We also have support in place for our officers and staff who have been affected by today's tragic events.
As is mandatory following any death connected to a police incident, we have referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and are fully cooperating with their investigation.
While this investigation is ongoing, and out of respect for all those who have lost loved ones, I would strongly urge people to avoid speculation and respect the privacy of the families.