Seven dead in A66 crash linked to organised crime

Seven people died on the A66 near Middlesbrough after a car collided with a police vehicle. The deceased have been identified as five young men and two police officers. Cleveland Police stated that 12 other people have been arrested in connection with alleged criminality leading up to the collision.

Links to criminal activity

The five young men travelling in a Volkswagen Passat were named as Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, Michael Robert Cahill, 23, and Jacob Matusiak, 23. Four of the five had previous criminal convictions. The collision occurred when the Passat, which had been pursued by police, was driven the wrong way along the dual carriageway and hit the marked armed response vehicle carrying Pc Matthew Blades, 37, and Pc Tom Clough, 38. The officers were pronounced dead at the scene. Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox said the investigation has significant links to serious and organised criminal activity. The alleged offences for which 12 people have been arrested include possession of a firearm and participation in an organised crime group.

Preceding events

Cleveland Police received reports of two vehicles being driven dangerously on the morning of the collision. One vehicle, a Volvo XC60, was seen ramming properties in the Middlesbrough area. The Volkswagen Passat is believed to have been associated with the Volvo's activities. Both vehicles were reportedly using cloned number plates. The Volvo XC60 has since been traced and recovered. The Passat was identified by automated number plate recognition technology. Police had received intelligence relating to numerous incidents linked to the Passat before the crash. The pursuit of the Passat was terminated shortly before it drove onto the A66 against the flow of traffic. Pc Blades and Pc Clough were not involved in the initial pursuit but had been called to assist with the search for the Passat. The collision happened approximately 10 seconds after the chase ended.

Tributes and fundraising

Tributes have been paid to the police officers. 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 with a fantastic sense of humour”. Over £250,000 has been raised for the families of the two officers through crowdfunding. Tributes for the five young men have also been shared on social media.