PCs killed in A66 crash were heroes, say families
BBC Homepage
Skip to content
Accessibility Help
Your account
Home
News
Sport
Earth
Reel
Worklife
Travel
Culture
Future
Music
TV
Weather
Sounds
More menu
More menu
Search BBC
Home
Climate
World
UK
Business
Tech
Science
Entertainment & Arts
Health
In Pictures
More
BBC Verify
Newsbeat
England
Regions
Tees
PCs Tom Clough and Matthew Blades were killed in a crash near Middlesbrough on Saturday.
By Tom MacDougall and Philippa Goymer, North East and Cumbria
Published 23 August 2026, 17:25 BST
Updated 38 minutes ago
Two police officers who died when a car travelling the wrong way down a dual carriageway crashed into their vehicle have been hailed as heroes by their families.
PC Tom Clough (left) and PC Matthew Blades (right), both marked armed response officers, were killed in the collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough.
The Volkswagen Passat, which officers had been pursuing until seconds before, also claimed the lives of its five occupants:
Michael Robert Cahill (23), Jacob Matusiak (23), Theo Rae (17), Makai Saddington (18), and Cole Robert Worthy (17).
In tributes released by Cleveland Police:
PC Clough's family described him as "willing to help anyone", while PC Blades' wife called him "loved beyond words".
"No words will ever feel like the right words to honour our Matt," she said, adding he was "a beloved husband" and "the most devoted father" to their two young sons who would grow up knowing what an "incredible" dad he was.
"He gave his life in the line of duty, protecting and serving others with courage, dedication and selflessness."
She ended her tribute: "Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever our superhero. Our Matt and Dad."
PC Clough's family also said he had a "fantastic sense of humour" and "jumped into action whenever needed", adding he was "our hero" and always "willing to help anyone for any reason".
They also noted that he "proudly fought for his country to make the world a better place" and was "always on public duty throughout his short life."
*A man who knew PC Clough posted on social media that he was a "true friend, fantastic soldier and I have no doubt even better police officer."
Seaton Carew FC, where PC Blades had recently become a coach and was preparing for his first season with its under-sevens team, said the officer and his family were "much loved members" of the club.
FC Hartlepool, where PC Blades had coached the under-10s team, described him as a "role model, mentor [and] friend" who the children "looked up to and admired."
They added: "His kindness, patience, and infectious personality made him loved by all who had the privilege of knowing him."
On Sunday evening, more than £150,000 had been raised for the officers' families in an online fundraiser set by Cleveland Police Federation.
The federation said the two officers had "paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty" and described them as "brave men who made the ultimate sacrifice while trying to keep our communities safe."