Two Officers Among Seven Killed in A66 Crash
Traveloasisspot.com – Two officers among seven killed in a wrong-way collision on the A66 near South Bank, Teesside, were remembered by their families as heroes whose courage extended far beyond the uniform. On a quiet Saturday morning, a Volkswagen Passat travelling against traffic struck a marked armed response vehicle, killing both officers inside and five young men in the car. The Independent Office for Police Conduct has opened an investigation into the circumstances.
The Officers
Pc Matthew Blades, 37, and Pc Tom Clough, 38, had been dispatched to assist in locating a vehicle under investigation. They were not part of the original pursuit. Roughly ten seconds after the chase was formally aborted, the Passat crossed onto the wrong side of the dual carriageway and hit their vehicle. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Clough had previously served with the Civil Nuclear Constabulary before joining Cleveland Police. His family described a man who “jumped into action whenever needed” and was “willing to help anyone for any reason,” adding that he had “proudly fought for his country to make the world a better place.”
“He was our hero with a fantastic sense of humour. Always on public duty throughout his short life.”
Blades was a father of two young boys. His wife called him “my beloved husband, my best friend, and the most devoted father to our two young boys.” He had recently taken a coaching role at Seaton Carew FC, eager to mentor his son in the under-sevens Seahawks squad, and also coached the under-10s Reds at FC Hartlepool, where colleagues described him as “a role model, a mentor, a friend, and someone the children looked up to and admired.”
“He gave his life in the line of duty, protecting and serving others with courage, dedication and selflessness. Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever our superhero. Our Matt and Dad.”
The Five Young Men
Inside the Passat were Cole Robert Worthy, 17; Theo Rae, 17; Makai Saddington, 18; Michael Robert Cahill, 23; and Jacob Matusiak, 23. All five were pronounced dead at the scene. Friends took to social media within hours, many saying they were “heartbroken” and “lost for words.” A tribute dedicated to all five read: “We all knew use and knew use had hearts of gold and most loyalist lads.”
Balloon releases were scheduled for Monday through Thursday at locations around South Bank, giving communities a structured way to gather and remember each young man.
What Happened on the Road
Cleveland Police had initiated a pursuit of the Passat after intelligence linked the vehicle to “numerous incidents.” The car had triggered an ANPR camera and was believed to be displaying cloned number plates. An armed response vehicle tracked the Passat for just under seven minutes before officers aborted the chase and continued driving on the correct side of the carriageway.
Seconds later, the Passat crossed onto the A66 in South Bank travelling against the flow of traffic and struck the vehicle carrying Blades and Clough. The timing — approximately ten seconds after the pursuit ended — has placed the incident under close scrutiny by the watchdog body.
Community Response
A fundraiser organised by the Cleveland Police Federation surpassed £125,000 roughly four and a half hours after the link was first shared on social media. A separate crowdfunder for the officers’ families had gathered £20,000 by Sunday evening. The scale of giving underscored how quickly the Teesside community rallied around the families of those killed.
The crash sits within a broader national conversation about road safety on dual carriageways, where wrong-way drivers can reach speeds of 60 mph or more before realising their error. The A66 forms a critical artery through South Bank, connecting residential areas with industrial zones and major junctions. A vehicle travelling in the opposite direction at speed leaves drivers on both sides with almost no time to react.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the crash occur? The collision took place on the A66 in South Bank, Teesside, on a dual carriageway section connecting residential and industrial areas.
Who is investigating the incident? The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, including the pursuit decision and the timing of the collision.
How many people died? Seven people were killed: two Cleveland Police officers and five young men aged 17 to 23 who were inside the vehicle travelling the wrong way.
What happened to the pursuit before the crash? Officers tracked the vehicle for just under seven minutes, then aborted the chase. Approximately ten seconds after the pursuit ended, the vehicle crossed onto the wrong side of the carriageway and struck the officers’ vehicle.
How can the public show support? Balloon releases were held Monday through Thursday at locations around South Bank. Fundraisers organised by the Cleveland Police Federation and separate family appeals raised over £145,000 within the first day.
