More than £300,000 has been raised for the families of two police officers killed in a collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough. PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, died early Saturday morning when a Volkswagen Passat, traveling the wrong way down the dual carriageway, crashed head-on into their marked police car.
Two online fundraising pages have been established for the officers' families. The Cleveland Police Federation's effort has garnered nearly £290,000, with another fundraiser contributing an additional £30,000. The funds raised will be divided equally among the families of the fallen officers.
The officers died while on duty. PC Blades, a father of two, and PC Clough were killed instantly. The five occupants of the Volkswagen Passat also died at the scene. They have been identified as Michael Robert Cahill, 23; Theo Rae, 17; Cole Robert Worthy, 17; Jacob Matusiak, 23; and Makai Saddington, 18.
The collision occurred approximately ten seconds after a police pursuit of the Volkswagen was called off. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Reports indicate the Volkswagen Passat was believed to be using cloned number plates.
Social media activity of some of the occupants of the Passat has drawn attention. Videos appearing to show Makai Saddington in high-speed police chases have been shared online. One clip, filmed in May, showed Saddington being driven in an Audi with police pursuit lights flashing. Another video linked to him depicted a car being set alight. Saddington was reportedly awaiting trial on charges of racially abusing and assaulting police officers. A video from Jacob Matusiak's TikTok profile also appeared to show reckless driving.
PC Clough's family described him as a "hero with a fantastic sense of humour" who was "always on public duty throughout his short life." They expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from the community. PC Blades's widow remembered him as "my beloved husband, my best friend, and the most devoted father to our two young boys," stating he served with "courage, dedication and selflessness."
The Cleveland Police Federation released a statement acknowledging the officers "paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty" and left behind "heartbroken loved ones."