PCs killed in A66 crash were heroes, say families

One of the two police officers who were killed when a car travelling the wrong way down a dual carriageway crashed into their vehicle was "our hero" and "willing to help anyone", his family has said.

PC Tom Clough, 38, died alongside his colleague PC Matthew Blades, 37, when a Volkswagen Passat, which officers had been pursuing until seconds before , collided with their vehicle on the A66 near Middlesbrough on Saturday.

The Passat's occupants Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Jacob Matusiak, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and Cole Robert Worthy, 17, also died.

PC Clough's family said they wanted to "express our sincere gratitude for the overwhelming support and condolences".

LIVE: Tribute paid to 'hero' police officer among seven killed in wrong-way crash

They described PC Clough as having a "fantastic sense of humour" and said he "jumped into action whenever needed", adding he was "our hero" and always "willing to help anyone for any reason".

They also said he "proudly fought for his country to make the world a better place" and was "always on public duty throughout his short life".

The family of PC Blades, a married father of two, are yet to release a tribute.

Seaton Carew FC, where he had recently become a coach and was preparing for his first season teaching its under-sevens Seahawks squad, said he and his family were "much loved members" of the club.

A group of police officers laid floral tributes at the police cordon on Eston Road on Sunday.

Some removed their hats and bowed their heads and took a brief moment of silence to remember their colleagues.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council said the section of A66 in South Bank between Eston Road and Normanby Road would remain closed until Monday while repairs were carried out on the carriageway.

Chief Constable Victoria Fuller previously said it was an "incredibly sad day for Cleveland", adding: "No one should leave their home and not return safely."

Fuller said she and her deputy chief constable visited the officers' families to "offer our condolences, support one another, and begin to come to terms with this unimaginable loss".