IDENTITIES REVEALED: Five teenagers k!lled in a wrong-way crash during a police pursuit have been named
Five teenagers have been named locally after a fatal collision on the A66 in which two police officers lost their lives
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The five teens who died in the crash have been pictured online
The five teenagers who died when their vehicle travelled the wrong way down the A66 before crashing and killing two police officers have been named locally today.
The two courageous policemen – PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38 – lost their lives when their patrol car was struck.
The five youths in the VW Passat they were pursuing have since been identified online as Michael Ray, Theo Rae, Cole Worthy, Jakub Matusiak and Makai Saddington.
Today it has also come to light that at least one of them had previously uploaded videos on TikTok showing reckless speeding. In one clip, recorded in May by a passenger and set to rap music, an 18-year-old is shown in an Audi being driven at high speed through a housing estate with a police car’s blue lights flashing behind.
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Police officers at the scene of a fatal crash involving a police car and a Volkswagen Passat on the A66 in South Bank, near Middlesbrough(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
The vehicle is then shown swerving across a playing field in an apparent bid to evade the pursuers. Another video on an account linked to him shows a green Nissan being driven around before being set alight, while separate images posted elsewhere depict him and a friend posing in cars wearing black balaclavas.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash at 3.39am in South Bank following a mandatory referral from Cleveland Police. Police are expected to formally name all five young men later today, reports the Mirror.
Tributes have continued to pour in for the two officers identified last night, PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough. Cleveland Police have yet to officially release any photographs of the officers.
Ring doorbell footage reveals that at 3.36am the vehicle was driven at speed through the streets of Middlesbrough before officers called off the pursuit when the car turned onto the A66.
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A police cordon at the scene of a fatal crash involving a police car and a Volkswagen Passat on the A66 in South Bank, near Middlesbrough(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
Makai’s aunt paid a heartfelt tribute to him. Sharon Morgan wrote on social media: “Today is a day I never thought I would have to face. I’m heartbroken to say that we lost my beloved nephew today our Makai. There are no words that can truly express the pain of losing someone so young, so loved, and so full of life.
“You brought so much love and happiness into our family, and your memory will stay with us forever. This loss has left a space in our hearts that can never be filled.
“Rest peacefully, my beautiful nephew. You will never be forgotten. Until we meet again, fly high love ya aunty Sharon… Keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we try to get through this heartbreaking time, especially our Alisha, his Mam.”
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Makai Saddington
A football club where PC Blades served as a coach paid a heartfelt tribute last night. They posted: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that Seaton Carew FC shares the devastating news of the passing of one of our coaches, Matty, who tragically lost his life in a fatal accident while carrying out his duties as a police officer.
“Matty had only recently joined our club as a coach and was preparing for his first season with our brand-new U7 Seahawks team. He was looking forward to being part of the team and, most importantly, to coaching his own son, who is going to be playing for the Seahawks this season. Matty and his oldest son are much-loved member of our club and our U10 Lions football family.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Matty’s wife, his two boys, and all of his family and friends at this incredibly difficult and heartbreaking time.
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Flowers left near to the scene on the A66 in South Bank, near Middlesbrough following a fatal crash involving a police car and a Volkswagen Passat in which seven people died, including two police officers, following a police pursuit in the early hours of Saturday morning(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
“We also stand alongside Matty’s colleagues and friends within the police service, who have tragically lost members of their force. All club flags are flying at half mast as a sign of respect.
“From everyone at Seaton Carew FC, thank you, Matty, for choosing to become part of our club. You will always be remembered as one of our own. Rest peacefully, Matty. Forever a part of the Seaton Carew FC family.”
