A community has rallied together to raise more than half a million pounds for "hero" police officers who died in a horror crash.
PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough died when their marked police vehicle was involved in a crash with a Volkswagen Passat in South Bank, at 3.39am on Saturday, August 22.
The officers were among seven people who died at the scene.
In the days since the tragedy, an influx of floral tributes, balloons and handwritten notes have been left at the crash site.
Floral tributes at the scene of the crash
(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
A fundraiser set up by Cleveland Police Federation on Sunday has raised more than £500,000 already.
Organisers said the money raised would be split equally between the two officers’ families, with the federation continuing to provide support.
Floral tributes at the scene of the crash
(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
PC Clough’s family described the former Civil Nuclear Constabulary officer as “our hero” who was “always on public duty”.
PC Tom Clough
(Image: CLEVELAND POLICE)
While PC Blades’ wife paid tribute to her “beloved husband”, “best friend” and “the most devoted father to our two young boys”.
Before becoming a police officer, PC Blades worked as a teacher at Carmel College in Darlington.
The school paid tribute to him, describing him as “an intelligent, kind and approachable teacher”.
PC Matthew Blades
(Image: CLEVELAND POLICE)
They said: “We remember PC Matthew Blades, who was a much loved and highly valued member of staff at Carmel before leaving teaching to begin a new vocation of service as a police officer.
"Many within our community will remember Matty as an intelligent, kind and approachable teacher, a valued colleague and someone who gave generously of himself to the young people in his care.”
A silent vigil is due to be held at St John the Evangelist Church on Monday evening to mourn the seven people who lost their lives.
Redcar MP Anna Turley said the church would provide a place for the community to come together at a time when “so many families, friends and our whole community are grieving”.
Floral tributes at the scene of the crash
(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Scene of multiple fatality RTC on the A66 at in South Bank, Middlesbrough. 23.8.2026 Photograph: Stuart Boulton/The Notrhern Echo
(Image: Stuart Boulton)
It comes after Cleveland Police confirmed on Monday that 12 people have been arrested as part of a major investigation into the events leading up to the fatal crash.
On August 22, officers received multiple reports of two vehicles being driven dangerously in Middlesbrough.
One vehicle, believed to be a Volvo XC60, was seen ramming into properties, while a Volkswagen Passat was thought to be linked to the incident.
Both vehicles were using cloned number plates to avoid detection but were identified by the force’s automated number plate recognition system.
The Volvo was later traced and recovered in Middlesbrough as part of the ongoing investigation.
Nine men and three women, aged between 19 and 61, were arrested on suspicion of offences including possession of a firearm and involvement in organised crime.
The force also confirmed four occupants of the Passat had previous convictions, including some involving offences against police officers.
The five who died in the Volkswagen Passat
(Image: SOCIAL MEDIA)
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Court records show Saddington pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer and indicated a guilty plea to causing racially aggravated alarm or distress to another officer in Middlesbrough on June 9.
He entered his pleas at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on July 17 and was handed a 12-month conditional discharge.
The A66 at South Bank has since fully reopened on Monday.