People have been leaving floral tributes at the site of the devastating A66 crash which left seven people, including two police officers, dead.
Bright bunches of flowers now lie alongside balloons and handwritten notes at several sites on the roadside, as a memorial to the lives cut short in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The crash happened on the A66 in South Bank at 3.39am yesterday (Saturday, August 22) and involved a marked police vehicle and a Volkswagen Passat.
Cleveland Police said the Passat was travelling in the wrong direction when it collided with the police car, which was travelling in the correct direction.
All seven occupants of the vehicles – two police officers and five members of the public – were pronounced dead at the scene.
Yesterday (August 22), the two police officers were named as Pc Matthew Blades, 37, and Pc Tom Clough, 38.
(Image: STUART BOULTON)
Members of the public have started to leave floral tributes and balloons for those who lost their lives.
A former police officer and his wife leaving flowers at the site.
(Image: STUART BOULTON)
(Image: STUART BOULTON)
A police cordon is in place, and the road is still closed.
It is expected to remain closed for the rest of the day.
Tributes have been pouring in for the two “brave” officers who died.
In a statement to reporters on Saturday afternoon, Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller said: “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.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was “devastated” to hear about the crash, while Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said her thoughts were with all those affected.
(Image: STUART BOULTON)
Anna Turley, MP for the Redcar constituency where the accident happened, said of the two police officers who died: “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.”
David Taylor and Stephen Martin, councillors for the Eston ward, said they were “deeply saddened” by the “unimaginable tragedy”.
Seaton Carew FC issued a tribute to Pc Mathew Blades, who was connected to the football club.
A post on Facebook reads: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that Seaton Carew FC shares the devastating news of the passing of one of our coaches, Matty, who tragically lost his life in a fatal accident while carrying out his duties as a police officer.
(Image: STUART BOULTON)
“Matty had only recently joined our club as a coach and was preparing for his first season with our brand-new U7 Seahawks team.
“He was looking forward to being part of the team and, most importantly, to coaching his own son, who is going to be playing for the Seahawks this season.
“Matty and his oldest son are much-loved member of our club and our U10 Lions football family.
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Chief constable confirms names of 'brave officers' killed on A66 near South Bank
What we know so far after A66 crash kills seven people, including two police officers
Full statement on A66 South Bank collision from Chief Constable Victoria Fuller
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Matty’s wife, his two boys, and all of his family and friends at this incredibly difficult and heartbreaking time.
“We also stand alongside Matty’s colleagues and friends within the police service, who have tragically lost members of their force.
“All club flags are flying at half-mast as a sign of respect.”