UK PM leads tributes after 2 police officers among 7 killed in road crash

Prime Minister Andy Burnham expressed devastation after two police officers were killed alongside five young men in a horrific head-on collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough. The incident occurred early Saturday morning when a Volkswagen Passat, reportedly traveling the wrong way, collided with a marked Cleveland Police vehicle.

“

My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of everyone involved, and with everyone at Cleveland Police.

PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, were on duty at the time of the crash. Burnham extended his thoughts to the families of all those involved and to everyone at Cleveland Police, while thanking emergency services and urging against speculation. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood echoed the sentiments, acknowledging the daily risks police officers take to protect their communities.

“

These were brave officers, protecting our communities and serving our residents, who didn’t return home to their families at the end of their shift.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into the events preceding the collision. While police had reportedly spotted a suspicious vehicle earlier, the pursuit had concluded before the fatal crash. The police vehicle carrying Blades and Clough was not part of that pursuit but was in the area at the time. Footage from nearby homes appears to show a car traveling at high speed, followed by police vehicles shortly before the incident.

“

The loss is unfathomable.

Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller described the deceased officers as "brave officers, protecting our communities and serving our residents, who didn’t return home to their families at the end of their shift." The loss has been called "unfathomable" by Cleveland Police Federation chair Lauren Somerville. Redcar MP Anna Turley lamented that seven lives were "cut short needlessly," calling the event a tragedy for the local community and the police force. Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen also paid tribute to the officers and emergency workers involved in the response to the "horrible and tragic incident."

“

Seven lives had been cut short needlessly.