Joy-riding, 'drug-driving' and cop-baiting: The online community followed by A66 crash victims glamorizing lawlessness on Britain's highways

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LBC has uncovered clips posted by accounts linked to the crash victims featuring apparent drug-use behind the wheel, reckless high-speed driving, and carrying out high-risk manoeuvres to evade police on the roads.

Cole Robert Worthy and Theo Rae, both 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and 23-year-olds Michael Robert Cahill and Jacob Matusiak were pronounced dead at the scene. Their vehicle, a VW Passat, was driving the wrong way down the A66.

PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, of Cleveland Police were also killed in the collision and had been driving in the correct direction.

There's no evidence the activities that led to the crash in the early hours of Saturday morning were filmed for TikTok.

One TikTok account followed by a crash victim has posted multiple tributes to the occupants of the car that collided with police, featuring an AI generated image of the boys by the gates of heaven, captioned "wish it didn't end like this lads youse [sic] will always be remembered as good kids."

Read more: Police chief pays emotional tribute to 'brave' officers among seven killed in wrong-way collision

Read more: Seven dead including two police officers after VW travelling wrong way crashes into cop car

Other posts include footage filmed inside a car moments before it seemingly crashes into a tree with the caption "#wrapped [cry laugh emoji] [tree emoji]", and another filmed behind the steering wheel which appears to show the driver holding a large rolled cigarette.

A photo of three young boys posted in November last year is captioned "f*** cleavland [sic] police."

Another account which posted tributes to the A66 crash victims with the caption: "rip love use [sic] keep it lit up there" uploaded a video six days ago filmed behind the steering wheel of a car which appears to reach speeds of 124mph as it overtakes another vehicle, with the caption "[middle finger emoji] [police officer emoji]"

Police chases have also been posted by accounts linked to the victims, with captions such as "got smoked while it lasted."

While other clips showing police pursuits have attracted comments calling for TikTok to take down the content and ban the accounts.

In another shocking clip posted from the Teesside area, a driver can be seen accelerating to speeds of 101mph on a motorway while seemingly inhaling on a balloon, which are often used to inhale nitrous oxide or 'laughing gas'.

Balloons make an appearance in a post on another account followed by the occupants, which shows four young men standing next to a Lamborghini holding yellow balloons, swearing at the camera.

A montage posted by another user showing their "2025 highlights", opens with footage of a smashed-up Suzuki, before showing clips of fast, reckless driving.

Anna Turley, MP for the Redcar constituency where the accident happened, on Sunday paid condolences to the deceased and said the “whole community is reeling here today”, describing Cleveland Police as a “close-knit” force.

Tributes and messages of support for the families of the five young men have poured in on social media, with many of their friends saying they “can’t believe it” and were “heartbroken” and “lost for words”.

Balloon releases have been announced in their memory, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, at different locations including in South Bank.

While PC Blades’ wife paid tribute to him, calling him “my beloved husband, my best friend, and the most devoted father to our two young boys”.

She said he was “an adored son and brother, a perfect son-in-law, and the most fun uncle”.

Earlier on Sunday, PC Clough’s family said: “He was our hero with a fantastic sense of humour. Jumped into action whenever needed, and willing to help anyone for any reason.

“Proudly fought for his country to make the world a better place. Always on public duty throughout his short life.”