STORY
The five people who died when a Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong way along the A66 near Middlesbrough collided with a police vehicle have been named. They were Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Cole Robert Worthy, 16, Jacob Matusiak, 23, and Makai Saddington, 18. All five occupants of the Passat died in the collision, which happened at around 3.39am on Saturday 22 August in South Bank.
Two Cleveland Police officers travelling in the marked police vehicle were also killed. They were PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38. Police said their vehicle was travelling in the correct direction when it was struck head-on by the Passat. Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller described the officers as brave and said they had been protecting communities and serving residents when they died.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct has opened an investigation following a mandatory referral from Cleveland Police. The watchdog said officers had earlier identified the Volkswagen as a suspicious vehicle and a pursuit began before it travelled onto the A66. The circumstances leading up to the collision, including police actions before the crash, are now being independently investigated. Cleveland Police has asked people to avoid speculation while enquiries continue and the families of those who died are being supported.