Seven Dead in Teesside Dual Carriageway Collision Linked to Organised Crime
Two police officers and five youths killed as wrong-way vehicle strikes armed response unit on A66; six in custody.
Callum Smith
A collision on a Teesside dual carriageway claimed seven lives, including two police officers, in a crash linked to organised crime.
A vehicle traveling the wrong way collided with a police car on the A66, claiming seven lives. The deceased include PC Tom Clough and PC Matt Blades, alongside five youths: Jakub Matusiak, Michael Cahill, Theo Rae, Cole Worthy, and Makai Saddington.
PC Blades' wife described him as "our superhero," "my beloved husband, my best friend, and the most devoted father to his two young boys." Family members of PC Clough also hailed him as "our hero," always on public duty.
Police pursued the Volkswagen Passat, carrying the youths, for seven minutes before the collision; the chase was aborted shortly before the crash. PC Blades and PC Clough were called to assist with the search for the Passat; they were not involved in the original pursuit.
The Volkswagen Passat was believed to be associated with a Volvo XC60, seen ramming properties earlier that morning. Both vehicles reportedly used cloned number plates.
Four of the five young men in the Passat had previous criminal convictions; Michael Cahill was reportedly the only person in the car with no prior convictions.
Makai Saddington reportedly faced pending charges for racially abusing and assaulting officers and had posted videos of police chases on TikTok. Michael Cahill had also reportedly posted videos on TikTok of himself driving at high speeds.
The glorification of dangerous driving for clips and entertainment is utterly disgraceful and that is why we have raised the issue of this appalling content with social media companies since the tragedy.
A Downing Street spokesman stated: "The glorification of dangerous driving for clips and entertainment is utterly disgraceful and that is why we have raised the issue of this appalling content with social media companies since the tragedy."
Paul Williams, addressing the issue, noted: "Every day we can identify now numerous examples of young people sensationalising dangerous driving. Not just dangerous driving, but baiting police officers who are out there to protect the public."
He added that it is "a real problem" causing officers concern, stating: "They shouldn’t have to be going out and worrying about whether they’re going to return home from their shift or not. But on top of that, wondering if they’re going to be plastered all over social media."
He concluded: "It’s absolutely unacceptable and social media platforms need to take some action." TikTok has reportedly banned the "GTA UK" page for breaking the platform’s rules.
Separately, the Volvo XC60 was reportedly recovered in Middlesbrough. Cleveland Police have arrested twelve people in connection with the crash, with six individuals remaining in custody as part of an investigation into organised crime linked to the incident.
These arrested individuals face potential charges including possession of a firearm and participating in organised crime. Cameron George, 26, has reportedly been charged with drug and criminal property offenses.
This has been a fast-moving and complex investigation, with significant links to serious and organised criminal activity. We have a duty to respond to, and thoroughly investigate, the serious criminal activity that resulted in this fatal incident, and to bring all those responsible to justice.
Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox affirmed: "This has been a fast-moving and complex investigation, with significant links to serious and organised criminal activity." Fox added: "We have a duty to respond to, and thoroughly investigate, the serious criminal activity that resulted in this fatal incident, and to bring all those responsible to justice."
Donations to the families of the two killed police officers have exceeded £750,000. A silent prayer vigil was held in a nearby church to honour the deceased officers.
Around 200 people reportedly gathered in South Bank, near Middlesbrough, for a vigil to pay tribute to Jakub Matusiak, one of the deceased. Masked youths reportedly raced scooters and quad-bikes at the vigil, releasing flares and balloons.
Anna Turley, the Labour MP for South Bank, laid flowers and paid respects to all seven victims. Turley remarked: "The whole community here is reeling, and we've lost lives, particularly those lives of brave police officers who are out in action to keep us safe."
She concluded: "It's a tragic incident." Three women and a seven-year-old boy from the same family, occupants of the other car, are reportedly in hospital with serious injuries.
A similar incident in County Kildare, Ireland, resulted in the deaths of five teenagers in a head-on crash while driving the wrong way on a motorway. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the circumstances of the crash.
Inquests for the deceased officers and one of the young men are reportedly scheduled to open.