Everything we know about what happened in fatal A66 crash in South Bank today

This is everything we know about what happened in the fatal A66 crash which has left seven dead, including two police officers.

The road is closed in both directions between Normanby Road and Church Lane in Eston.

Police officers have manned both ends of the cordon and the crash site was not visible from the road closures.

Here is everything we know so far.

What happened in deadly A66 crash?

At around 3.39am this morning (Saturday), there was a crash between a police car and a Volkswagen Passat on the A66 in South Bank, near Middlesbrough.

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 Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Cleveland Police has now revealed that the Passat was travelling the wrong way along the A road and collided head on with the police car that was driving in the correct direction.

All occupants of both vehicles died at the scene. This included two police officers in the line of duty and five people in the Volkswagen.

The families of those identified have been informed and are being offered specialist support, Cleveland Police said.

North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) said it had been called to a two-vehicle crash and sent 14 units to the scene including ambulance crews, a specialist paramedic, a hazardous area response team and a doctor from Great North Air Ambulance Service.

A spokesperson for NEAS said: “Sadly, despite the best efforts of everyone attending, a number of patients died at the scene.

“We send condolences to all of those affected by such a tragic event and thank everyone for all they did to help.”

What have the police said?

Cleveland Police’s chief constable Victoria Fuller named Cleveland Police’s Pc Matthew Blades, 37, and Pc Tom Clough, 38, as the officers killed in the line of duty.

She said: “This is an incredibly sad day for Cleveland. The loss has been 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 thoughts of everybody here at Cleveland Police are with their family, friends, colleagues and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.

“Early 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.”

Ms Fuller said the members of the public inside the Volkswagen have been formally identified.

She said: “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 and are fully co-operating with their investigation.

“Whilst 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.”

The chairwoman of Cleveland Police Federation said “words cannot describe the pain” following the death of the two police officers.

Lauren Somerville said: “Words cannot describe the pain the Cleveland Police family are feeling today.

“Our colleagues who should have been going home to their loved ones at the end of their shifts are not. And that is just unfathomable.

“Cleveland Police Federation will be offering full support to our fallen colleagues’ families and they have all of our love and care at this time.

“When the time is right we will pay full tribute to our brave colleagues. But we can assure that their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

What has the IOPC said?

The Independent Office for Police Conduct is the police watchdog and is called to investigate any deaths where officers are on the scene.

This is standard practice and does not imply any fault against the officers involved.

The IOPC said “following a mandatory referral from the force, we declared an independent investigation at 6.03am”.

IOPC director of investigations Nicola Marfleet said: “This is a tragic incident, and my thoughts are with family and friends and all those affected, including the emergency services in attendance.

“Our investigation is in the very early stages, we have sent investigators to the post incident procedures to begin reviewing evidence.

“When someone dies following police contact, it is mandatory that the matter is referred to the IOPC.

“Our role is to establish and examine the circumstances of what happened; this work is already underway, and Cleveland Police is cooperating with our enquiries. We will provide a further update when we are in a position to do so.”

How long will the A66 be closed?

The A66 is closed in both directions between Normanby Road and Church Lane in Eston.

A Cleveland Police spokesperson said it will remain closed for some time. They said: “There are significant emergency vehicles on the scene, and the road will remain closed for some time.

"The public are asked to use alternative routes.”

Police officers manned both ends of the cordon and the crash site was not visible from the road closures.

It was understood a large white tent has been erected over the scene, with multiple emergency service vehicles on the scene.

The closed section of the A66 is bordered by large industrial units to the north, and is close to the major Teesworks site.

Police have put into effect a drone exclusion zone around the scene of the collision.

What have politicians said?

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has said the crash on the A66 in which seven people died was “devastating”.

She said: “A devastating incident in Teesside this morning in which seven people have died, including two police officers.

“Cleveland police have my support as they work to identify all those involved.

“Police officers put their own safety on the line to protect their communities every single day.

“The two officers were on active duty, serving the people of Cleveland.

“My thoughts are with all those affected, their families, friends, the emergency services who attended the scene and the wider police family.”

Anna Turley, MP for the Redcar constituency where the crash happened, said: “My heart goes out to every family, friend and loved one now facing the most unimaginable loss following this morning’s devastating accident on the A66.

“Cleveland Police have confirmed that seven people have sadly lost their lives. Their families and loved ones are now facing an unimaginable loss that will be felt forever.

“Two of the seven people who have lost their lives were Cleveland Police officers, on duty serving our community. They went to work to keep people safe, and they should have come home to their families. Their loss will be felt deeply by their loved ones, fellow officers and right across the communities they served.

“Cleveland Police are investigating the accident, alongside the Independent Office for Police Conduct. It is crucial that we respect that process and avoid speculation at this deeply painful time.

“I cannot begin to imagine how difficult this has been for the emergency services responding to such a devastating incident. Thank you to every one of them for their courage, care and professionalism.”