A probe into the horror crash on the A66 has determined that tactical contact was not used in the moments leading up to the crash that killed seven people.
The 3.39am crash on the A66 in South Bank on August 22 killed Cleveland Police officers PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, along with five people in a Volkswagen Passat: Michael Cahill, Theo Rae, Cole Worthy, Jakub Matusiak and Makai Saddington.
Police had abandoned a chase 17 seconds before the VW collided head-on with another marked police car which was not involved in the initial pursit.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct has released a detailed timeline of the Cleveland Police pursuit in the early hours.
The IOPC began its investigation last month after a mandatory referral from Cleveland Police, sending investigators to the scene and reviewing post-incident procedures within hours of the crash.
Officers working at the scene of the A66 crash (Image: NORTH NEWS)
Following an initial investigation, the IOPC said the pursuit began at 3.33am.
Analysis of police in-car footage shows that six minutes and 12 seconds later the Passat driver slowed heavily on the approach to the A66 junction before turning right onto the A-road against the flow of traffic, the IOPC said.
The pursuing police driver stays on the correct carriageway instead of following the Passat, and switches off the police vehicle’s blue lights. About 17 seconds later, the Passat collides with another police vehicle travelling on the correct carriageway.
An inquest opening heard that the pursuit was aborted before the Passat collided with a police vehicle that had not been involved in the earlier pursuit.
PC Matthew Blades (Image: CLEVELAND POLICE)
The IOPC said the available evidence shows police did not make tactical contact when the crash happened and did not use a stinger during the pursuit. A stinger is a portable spike strip used to puncture a vehicle’s tyres.
A forensic collision investigator is working out how to establish both vehicles’ speeds at the time of the crash.
IOPC Director of Engagement Emily Barry said: “We continue to recognise the devastating and long-lasting impact this incident has had on the families and those in the force, the policing community, and the wider local community.
“As our investigation continues to progress, I would like to reassure everyone that we are focused on establishing precisely what happened in the run up to the tragic incident.
“It’s vital that a thorough independent investigation is carried out to establish the full circumstances. The officers involved at this stage are being treated as witnesses.
PC Tom Clough (Image: CLEVELAND POLICE)
“We are aware there is speculation regarding how the collision occurred. There is no suggestion the collision was a result of any direct police contact, nor was a stinger used by the police in an attempt to stop the Passat.
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“It’s important to acknowledge that due to the vast amount of information to be reviewed, analysed and verified, along with the expert reports that have been commissioned to support our investigation, we anticipate it will take months, rather than weeks, to conclude our investigation.
“We have ensured that all families have been made aware of our involvement and they will be provided with regular updates throughout.”
The IOPC has commissioned two expert reports: one on the crash reconstruction and another on the policies and procedures governing police pursuits.