17 arrested after A66 crash kills two officers and five civilians

Seventeen people have been arrested following a fatal collision on the A66 that resulted in the deaths of two police officers and five civilians. The crash occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning near Middlesbrough.

Police Pursuit and Fatal Collision

The incident unfolded after a Volkswagen Passat, believed to be linked to earlier ramming incidents, was pursued by police. Pc Matthew Blades, 37, and Pc Tom Clough, 38, died when their marked armed response vehicle was struck by the Passat. Police have stated the Passat was being driven the wrong way along the dual-carriageway at the time of the collision. The five occupants of the Passat, all young men, also died at the scene.

Cleveland Police stated that on the morning of the collision, they received several reports of two vehicles being driven dangerously. The first vehicle, believed to be a Volvo XC60, was reported to be ramming properties in the Middlesbrough area. The second vehicle, the Volkswagen Passat, is understood to have been associated with the Volvo's activities. Both vehicles were reportedly using cloned number plates but were detected by automated number plate recognition technology. The Volvo XC60 has since been traced and recovered.

Organised Crime Links and Arrests

Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox described the investigation as "fast-moving and complex, with significant links to serious and organised criminal activity." He added that police have a duty to thoroughly investigate the criminal activity that led to the fatal incident and to bring those responsible to justice. Of the 17 people arrested, five were detained on Tuesday. These included a 16-year-old boy, an 18-year-old, and a 21-year-old on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group. A 55-year-old was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, and a 23-year-old on suspicion of making threats to kill.

Prior to the fatal collision, a property in Acklam, Middlesbrough, was rammed, causing extensive damage. Neighbours reported that a 17-year-old, Cole Robert Worthy, sometimes stayed at the damaged address. Four of the five young men in the Passat had previous criminal convictions and were believed to be associated with another car seen ramming properties earlier that morning.

Court Appearances and Support for Families

Two individuals previously arrested, Kai Beattie, 19, of Foxrush Court, Redcar, and Cameron George, 26, of Micklow Close, Redcar, have appeared in court. Beattie faced Teesside Magistrates’ Court charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. George was remanded in custody to appear at Teesside Crown Court on September 21, charged with drugs offences and possession of criminal property.

Pc Blades' wife described him as "my beloved husband, my best friend, and the most devoted father to our two young boys." Pc Clough's family called him "our hero" who was "always on public duty." More than £945,000 has been raised for the families of the two officers killed.

Next Steps

Inquests into the deaths of the two officers were due to open on Thursday morning. Hearings for the young men in the Passat were scheduled for the afternoon at Teesside Magistrates’ Court.