Investigators have been piecing together the events leading up to a devastating crash on the A66 which claimed the lives of seven people, including two police officers.
The tragedy has sparked an outpouring of grief across Teesside and further afield, with floral tributes, balloons and messages left at the South Bank crash site as families, friends, colleagues and communities come to terms with the scale of the loss.
PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough died when their marked Cleveland Police vehicle was involved in a crash with a Volkswagen Passat at 3.39am on Saturday (August 22).
Floral tributes at the scene of the crash
(Image: STU BOULTON)
The five people travelling in the Passat were named on Sunday as Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Jacob Matusiak, 23, and Makai Saddington, 18.
From left, Makai Saddington, 18, Theo Rae, 17, Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Jakub Matusiak, 23, Michael Robert Cahill, 23.
(Image: SOCIAL MEDIA)
All seven people were pronounced dead at the scene.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct released further details on Sunday (August 23), about the moments before the crash, after launching an independent investigation following a mandatory referral from Cleveland Police.
Police at the scene of the crash
(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
It said the force had received intelligence about a number of incidents linked to the Volkswagen Passat, which had five male occupants.
An armed response vehicle later sighted the car and began a pursuit.
Analysis of in-car footage showed the pursuit lasted just under seven minutes, the IOPC said, before the Passat joined the A66 at South Bank against the flow of traffic.
Officers then aborted the pursuit and continued travelling on the correct side of the carriageway.
The scene of the crash on the A66
(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
About ten seconds later, the Passat collided with another police vehicle which had not been involved in the pursuit, the watchdog said.
The second vehicle was in the area to assist in a search for the Passat, which was believed to be using cloned registration plates after an ANPR camera activation.
The marked police vehicle carrying PC Blades and PC Clough was travelling in the correct direction at the time of the collision.
Chief Constable Victoria Fuller spoke of the loss at a press conference on Saturday afternoon, her voice breaking with emotion as she addressed the deaths of the two officers.
Chief Constable Victoria Fuller
(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
She said: “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.”
Emergency services attended in large numbers in the aftermath of the crash, including North East Ambulance Service, Cleveland Fire Brigade and the Great North Air Ambulance Service. Fourteen ambulance resources attended the scene.
The scene of the crash on the A66
(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
IOPC director of engagement Derrick Campbell confirmed investigators had already obtained initial accounts from officers involved in the pursuit, as well as the incident log and in-car footage.
He said: “Our thoughts continue to be with the family and friends and all those affected by yesterday’s collision.
“We recognise the devastating impact the incident has had on those in the force, and the wider policing community, and offer our condolences.
“We have obtained initial accounts of officers involved in the pursuit, the incident log and in car footage of the incident. Work is ongoing to obtain additional material.
Floral tributes at the scene of the crash
(Image: STU BOULTON)
Read more
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
Police release names of five young men aged between 17 and 23 who died in A66 crash
“IOPC investigators will continue to review and analyse all the evidence that is available to us. We will not be providing any further comment at this time.”
The road remained closed throughout the weekend as the investigation continued, with a police cordon in place at the scene.
It has yet to be confirmed when the road will reopen.