Two police officers killed in a crash after a chase near Middlesbrough have been named. <\/p>\n
PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough were two of seven killed on the A66 in South Bank, Teesside, at around 3.39am on Saturday, 22 August. <\/p>\n
They were in a marked police car that crashed with a Volkswagen Passat, which was travelling on the wrong side of the road. <\/p>\n
Everyone in both vehicles died at the scene. The five others killed were travelling in the Passat.<\/p>\n
Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller said: \u201cFirst and foremost, our thoughts are with the families of everyone involved in today\u2019s incident.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo one should leave their home and not return safely, including police officers serving their communities and protecting the people of Cleveland. <\/p>\n
Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller speaking to the media at the force’s Headquarters in Middlesbrough. Credit: PA<\/p>\n
\u201cThis tragic incident will be felt across Cleveland, within our communities and throughout the entire policing family.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are providing specialist support to all families involved at this extremely difficult time.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe investigation has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is the standard approach when a death occurs following police contact. We will cooperate fully with their investigation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile this investigation takes place, we strongly urge people to avoid speculation.”<\/p>\n
The IOPC said it understood a police pursuit started after a suspicious vehicle was sighted.<\/p>\n
A police cordon at the scene of a fatal crash involving a police car and a Volkswagen Passat on the A66 in South Bank, near Middlesbrough. Credit: PA<\/p>\n
The car travelled onto the A66 in South Bank and collided with a police car, a spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
On Saturday afternoon, Prime Minister Andy Burnham reacted on X: \u201cDevastated to hear that two police officers have lost their lives while on duty in Cleveland this morning, as well as five members of the public.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy thoughts are with the families and loved ones of everyone involved, and with everyone at Cleveland Police.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you to the emergency services responding in incredibly difficult circumstances. I would urge people to avoid speculation at this time.\u201d<\/p>\n
The A66 remains closed following the incident at 3.39am on Saturday. Credit: NCJ MEDIA <\/p>\n
The North East Ambulance Service sent 14 ambulances to the scene.<\/p>\n
The road remains closed and there is a significant emergency presence on the scene. <\/p>\n
The IOPC confirmed an investigation is underway.<\/p>\n
IOPC Director of Investigations Nicola Marfleet said: \u201cOur investigation is in the very early stages, we have sent investigators to the post incident procedures to begin reviewing evidence. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen someone dies following police contact, it is mandatory that the matter is referred to the IOPC.<\/p>\n
“Our role is to establish and examine the circumstances of what happened; this work is already underway, and Cleveland Police is cooperating with our enquiries.”<\/p>\n
An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct is underway. Credit: NCJ Media <\/p>\n
Lauren Somerville, Chair of Cleveland Police Federation, said: “Words cannot describe the pain the Cleveland Police Family are feeling today.<\/p>\n
“Our colleagues who should have been going home to their loved ones at the end of their shifts are not. And that is just unfathomable.<\/p>\n
“Cleveland Police Federation will be offering full support to our fallen colleagues families and they have all of our love and care at this time.<\/p>\n
“When the time is right we will pay full tribute to our brave colleagues. But we can assure that their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”<\/p>\n
Anna Turley, MP for the Redcar constituency where the crash happened, said she was “deeply saddened” and her “thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives”.<\/p>\n
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