Two 'brave' police officers among seven people killed in wrong-way crash on A66 named
Cleveland Police's Chief Constable Victoria Fuller described their deaths as a "an incredibly sad day".
Two police officers who died in a wrong-way crash on the A66 that killed five others in Middlesbrough have been named.
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Pc Matthew Blades, 37, and Pc Tom Clough, 38, were killed when a Volkswagen Passat which was travelling the wrong way down the A66 near Middlesbrough collided with their marked police vehicle that was going in the right direction.
Cleveland Police's Chief Constable Victoria Fuller described their deaths as a "an incredibly sad day for Cleveland".
Reading a statement outside the force’s headquarters in Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon, she said: “At 3.39am this morning, a Volkswagen Passat that was travelling the wrong way down the A66 has collided with a marked Cleveland Police armed response vehicle, which was travelling on the correct side of the road.
“Tragically, two police officers, Pc Matthew Blades and Pc Tom Clough, died at the scene, along with the five occupants of the Passat, as a result of the collision.”
She added that their loss has been "felt across our communities, by our police family and by our partner agencies."
The two officers who died "were brave officers protecting our communities and serving our residents who didn't return home to their families at the end of their shift", she added.
She said that she visited the families of both officers to "offer our condolences and support".
The formal identification of the five others killed has also taken place, police said.
Read more: Seven dead including two police officers after VW travelling wrong way crashes into cop car
Read more: Seven dead including two police officers after VW travelling wrong way crashes into cop car
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) opened an investigation into the circumstances leading to the crash after a mandatory referral from Cleveland Police.
“Whilst this investigation is ongoing, and out of respect for all those who have lost loved ones, I would strongly urge people to avoid speculation and respect the privacy of the families,” Chief Constable Fuller said.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he was “devastated” to hear of the deaths of two police officers and five members of the public in a crash near Middlesbrough in the early hours of this morning.
He posted on X: “Devastated 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.
“My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of everyone involved, and with everyone at Cleveland Police.
“Thank you to the emergency services responding in incredibly difficult circumstances. I would urge people to avoid speculation at this time.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood also described the crash on the A66 as "devastating".
She added in a statement: “Cleveland police have my support as they work to identify all those involve.“Police officers put their own safety on the line to protect their communities every single day.
“The two officers were on active duty, serving the people of Cleveland.“My thoughts are with all those affected, their families, friends, the emergency services who attended the scene and the wider police family.”
Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said the crash was “a horrible and tragic incident”, adding “our police officers are heroes”.
He told the Press Association: “A horrible and tragic incident in South Bank this morning and my thoughts are with those affected, their families and the emergency services who attended the scene.
“Our police officers are heroes who put everything on the line to protect us and I know all of Teesside will want to pay tribute to the officers and other emergency service workers involved for the bravery they have shown in responding to this incident.”
Anna Turley, MP for the Redcar constituency where the crash happened, said her heart "goes out to every family, friend and loved one now facing the most unimaginable loss following this morning’s devastating accident on the A66."
— Rt. Hon. Anna Turley MP (@annaturley) August 22, 2026
She added: “Cleveland Police have confirmed that seven people have sadly lost their lives.
"Their families and loved ones are now facing an unimaginable loss that will be felt forever.
“Two of the seven people who have lost their lives were Cleveland Police officers, on duty serving our community.
"They went to work to keep people safe, and they should have come home to their families. Their loss will be felt deeply by their loved ones, fellow officers and right across the communities they served.“
She said the A66 will remain closed in both directions between Normanby Road and Church Lane and urged people to avoid the area and use alternative routes.
It comes days after five teenage boys died in a crash involving a car driving in the wrong direction on a motorway in Co Kildare, Ireland.
LBC has approached Cleveland Police for comment.