Two Cleveland Police officers who died in a collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough were commemorated in separate funerals attended by hundreds of colleagues, family, and community members this week. PC Tom Clough, 38, and PC Matt Blades, 37, lost their lives on August 22 when their armed response vehicle was struck by a Volkswagen Passat traveling the wrong way down the dual carriageway. The five young men inside the Passat—Michael Cahill, Jakub Matusiak, Makai Saddington, Cole Worthy, and Theo Rae—also died in the crash.
PC Clough, who had served as an Army bomb disposal expert before joining Cleveland Police, was remembered at a ceremony held at a Grade II-listed walled garden in Kirkleatham, North Yorkshire. The funeral was attended by hundreds of officers and military personnel, with a procession led by four policemen on horseback. Cleveland Police Federation chairman Lauren Somerville described Clough as “so full of fun” and someone who “gave everything to everybody.” Clough lived with his girlfriend and their dog and had worked as a firearms officer.
The previous day, more than 1,000 police officers gathered in Hartlepool to honor PC Blades at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church. The service featured tributes such as a Union Jack-draped coffin with a white carnation spelling “Dad,” a police outrider-led cortege, and bagpipers performing “Amazing Grace.” Blades was remembered not only as a dedicated officer but also as a devoted husband, father of two, and beloved football coach associated with local clubs including FC Hartlepool and Seaton Carew. Members of the FC Hartlepool Under-10s team announced they would rename themselves FC Blades in his memory. Somerville highlighted stories of Blades’ humor and kindness, emphasizing the lasting impact he had on colleagues and the community.
The five individuals in the Passat had been involved in an incident linked to organized crime in the Teesside area. Police reported that the vehicle, driven by the young men, was attempting to evade officers after a related dispute involving a rival group and a ram raid on a property connected to one of the passengers. Following the crash, more than 20 people were arrested in connection with attempts to disrupt criminal activity in the region, with additional specialist officers deployed to Middlesbrough and surrounding areas.
Local residents attending the funeral services expressed sorrow and respect for the police officers, highlighting the challenging environment law enforcement personnel face. The tragic incident has sparked ongoing efforts to address organized crime and enhance public safety in the Teesside area.