A66 'joyride' crash: Twelve arrested in connection with head-on collision that killed two police officers

Twelve people have been arrested arrested by officers investigating the events leading up to the crash on the A66 which killed seven people, including two police officers .

Some of those arrested over the A66 investigation are suspected of “participating in the activities of an organised crime group” Cleveland Police said, adding that four of those killed in the car which hit the police vehicle had previous police convictions.

Pc Matthew Blades, 37, and Pc Tom Clough, 38, were killed when a Volkswagen Passat, that had been pursued by police and was driving the wrong way on a dual carriageway, hit their marked armed response vehicle.

Pc Tom Clough (left) and Pc Matthew Blades (Cleveland Police/PA) PA Media Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and 23-year-olds Michael Robert Cahill and Jacob Matusiak were also pronounced dead at the scene near Middlesbrough early on Saturday.

The crash in Teesside took place 10 seconds after a pursuit by other officers was terminated.

The force said its officers had responded to reports two cars were being driven dangerously.

The Volkswagen Passat had earlier been sought in connection with a Volvo XC60 that was seen ramming properties in the Middlesbrough area.

Both vehicles had cloned number plates but were picked up by automated number plate recognition technology, the force said, and the Volvo XC60 has been traced and recovered in Middlesbrough.

Four of the five people in the Passat, including three teenagers, had previous police convictions, Cleveland Police said.

Police officers at the scene of a fatal crash (PA) PA Wire Pc Blades and Pc Clough were not involved in the original pursuit, but had been called to the area to assist with the search for the Passat.

A fundraiser created by the Cleveland Police Federation on Sunday reached £228,000 early on Monday.

Organisers said funds raised would be split equally between the two officers’ families and the federation would continue to provide support.

A police officer leaves flowers at the Cleveland Police HQ Memorial Garden in Middlesbrough following the deaths of Pc Matthew Blades and Pc Tom Clough (Owen Humphreys/PA) PA Wire Family members described former Civil Nuclear Constabulary officer Pc Clough as “our hero” who was “always on public duty”.

The father-of-two’s family called him “our superhero” and said: “He gave his life in the line of duty, protecting and serving others with courage, dedication and selflessness.”