A66 reopens and tributes laid at scene following crash which killed seven people

The A66 has reopened and more floral tributes have been left at the scene after a horrific crash which killed seven people - including two police…

A66 reopens and tributes laid at scene following crash which killed seven people

The A66 has reopened and more floral tributes have been left at the scene after a horrific crash which killed seven people - including two police officers.

The A-road at South Bank has fully reopened today (August 24) following a devastating crash between a police vehicle and a Volkswagen Passat. The collision took place in the early hours of Saturday, August 22.

All seven occupants of the vehicles – two police officers and five members of the public – were pronounced dead at the scene.

On Saturday (August 22), the two police officers were named as PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38.

The five men who died in the Passat were named as Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Jacob Matusiak, 23, and Makai Saddington, 18.

Following the tragedy, a memorial has been created near the crash site, including floral tributes, balloons and handwritten notes.

It comes after the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed the collision followed a police chase involving a Volkswagen Passat which was believed to be using cloned plates that had activated an ANPR camera.

Cleveland Police had received intelligence linking the vehicle to several incidents and began a pursuit using an armed response vehicle.

The chase lasted just under seven minutes before the Passat entered the A66 at South Bank, driving against the flow of traffic.

Officers then made the decision to abort the pursuit and continued along the correct side of the carriageway.

About 10 seconds later, the Passat collided with a police vehicle that had not been part of the chase but was in the area assisting in the search for the Passat.

Cleveland Police said members of the public can leave tributes at Cleveland Police HQ.

They said: "Flower tributes can be left at the Memorial Garden at Cleveland Police HQ in Hemlington or any Cleveland Police station.

"There is a safe site in front of the South Tees Business Park sign if you would like to leave flowers close to the scene safely."

Read more

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A silent prayer vigil will be held in South Bank today (August 24) to remember the seven people who lost their lives.

St John the Evangelist Church will open its doors from 4pm until 8pm, giving people the opportunity to light a candle, say a prayer or simply sit quietly and reflect.

A fundraiser, which was created for the families of the two officers who lost their lives, has surpassed £400,000.