A66 crash near Middlesbrough: 12 arrested over organised crime links after seven killed

Cleveland Police arrested 12 people over alleged criminality linked to a fatal A66 collision that killed five men and two officers. Over £250,000 raised for officers' families.

Twelve arrested as police probe organised crime connection to A66 crash that killed seven

Cleveland Police have arrested 12 people in connection with alleged criminal activity preceding a crash on the A66 dual carriageway near Middlesbrough that left seven people dead, including two armed response officers, TheJournal.ie reports.

The five occupants of a Volkswagen Passat — Cole Robert Worthy (17), Theo Rae (17), Makai Saddington (18), Michael Robert Cahill (23) and Jacob Matusiak (23) — were pronounced dead at the scene at South Bank in the early hours of Saturday morning. Pc Matthew Blades (37) and Pc Tom Clough (38) were killed when the Passat, travelling the wrong way along the carriageway after being pursued by police, struck their marked armed response vehicle.

Police said nine men and three women, aged between 19 and 61, have been arrested following a weekend investigation into alleged criminal activity before the crash. The alleged offences include possession of a firearm and participating in the activities of an organised crime group. Four of the five men in the Passat had previous criminal convictions.

Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox, who holds strategic leadership of the investigation, said: "This has been a fast-moving and complex investigation, with significant links to serious and organised criminal activity." He 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."

Two vehicles, cloned plates and ANPR

On the morning of the collision, Cleveland Police received several reports of two vehicles being driven dangerously in the Middlesbrough area. The first, believed to be a Volvo XC60, was witnessed ramming properties. The second, the Volkswagen Passat, is believed to have been associated with the activities of the Volvo.

Both vehicles were operating with cloned number plates but were identified through automated number plate recognition (ANPR) technology. The Volvo XC60 has since been traced and recovered in Middlesbrough.

Cleveland Police launched the pursuit of the Passat after receiving intelligence relating to "numerous incidents" connected to the vehicle, which had activated an ANPR camera. Pc Blades and Pc Clough were not involved in the original chase but had been called to the area to assist with the search for the Passat when the collision occurred — seconds after the pursuit was terminated.

Police also confirmed there was no evidence that filming of the events on Friday night and Saturday morning was "for the purposes of TikTok".

Tributes and fundraising

Flowers were laid beside the A66 close to the crash site in tribute to the two officers. A card from a paramedic accompanying a bouquet read: "Thank you for your service. RIP." Another read: "Behind every uniform is a person with a life, family, friends and people whose lives they have touched along the way."

More than £250,000 (approximately €292,000) has been raised for the families of the two officers. A fundraiser set up by the Cleveland Police Federation on Sunday reached £228,000 (€266,000) early on Monday, with organisers stating the funds would be split equally between both families. A second crowdfunding campaign raised a further £27,600.

'Our superhero'

Pc Clough's family described him as "our hero with a fantastic sense of humour" who "jumped into action whenever needed, and willing to help anyone for any reason". A former Civil Nuclear Constabulary officer and father of two, his family said he "gave his life in the line of duty, protecting and serving others with courage, dedication and selflessness".

In a statement issued by Cleveland Police, Pc Blades' wife described him as "my beloved husband, my best friend, and the most devoted father to our two young boys". She said: "He was loved beyond words by all his family and friends, and his loss has left a space that can never be filled."

She added: "Our children will grow up knowing what an incredible father he was and will always be, and I will carry his love, his memory and everything we shared with me always. Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever our superhero. Our Matt and Dad."

Pc Blades had recently joined Seaton Carew FC as a coach and had been looking forward to working with his son in the club's under-sevens Seahawks squad. He also coached youngsters in the under-10s Reds team at FC Hartlepool, which described him as "a role model, a mentor, a friend, and someone the children looked up to and admired", adding: "He was able to share his love of football with his son while inspiring and supporting every child on the team."

Source: TheJournal.ie