Tributes pour in for 'brave' officers killed in A66 police chase crash
Tributes have poured in for two “brave” officers who were among seven people killed in a horror crash following a police chase in the early hours of Saturday morning.
PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, died 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.
The families of the five people who were travelling in the Volkswagen are being supported by officers, Cleveland Police said on Saturday although they have not yet been named.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) opened an investigation into the circumstances leading to the crash at 3.39am in South Bank after a mandatory referral from the force.
Officers spotted a suspicious vehicle and a pursuit began before the car travelled onto the A66 and collided with a police car at 3.39am, the watchdog said.
Police officers at the scene of a fatal crash involving a police car and a Volkswagen Passat on the A66 PA The IOPC investigation was opened just after 6am on Saturday.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was “devastated” by the deaths of the two officers.
“Thank you to the emergency services responding in incredibly difficult circumstances,” he added.
Anna Turley , MP for the Redcar constituency where the crash happened, said: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the fatal collision on the A66 this morning.
“My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives, and with everyone affected by this terrible incident.
“Thank you to all of our emergency services , who have worked through the night responding to this devastating incident.”
She added: “We would ask everyone to avoid speculating online to respect the families and the police while they do their work at this terrible time.”
David Taylor and Stephen Martin, councillors for the Eston ward, said they were “deeply saddened” by the “unimaginable tragedy”.
Multiple people dead after police car and Volkswagen crash during pursuit
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