No Evidence of Tactical Contact in Fatal A66 Crash, Initial Probe Finds
An initial investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) found no indication of a stinger or deliberate police contact preceding the crash that killed seven people.
An initial investigation into a fatal crash on the A66 has found no evidence of a stinger being used by police or any "tactical contact" with the vehicle involved before the collision. The crash, which occurred on August 22 near Middlesbrough, resulted in the deaths of five young men and two police officers.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is leading the investigation, stated that there is no evidence police initiated contact with the Volkswagen Passat. The pursuing police vehicle did not follow the Passat when it began traveling the wrong way down the dual carriageway, and its blue warning lights were turned off before the collision.
The crash happened approximately 17 seconds after the Passat entered the A66 the wrong way. The IOPC confirmed that a stinger, a device used to puncture tires, was not deployed by police.
The victims in the Passat were identified as Michael Robert Cahill, 23; Jakub Matusiak, 23; Makai Saddington, 18; and 17-year-olds Theo Rae and Cole Robert Worthy. The two police officers killed in the crash were PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38. Neither officer had been pursuing the Passat immediately prior to the collision.
The IOPC's investigation, which began at 3:33 a.m. BST, revealed that the pursuit was initiated, but the Passat slowed as it approached the A66 six minutes and 12 seconds later, turning right onto the dual carriageway against traffic.
A forensic collision investigator is currently working to determine the speed of both vehicles at the moment of impact. The IOPC has commissioned two expert reports: one focusing on collision reconstruction and another assessing police pursuit policies and procedures.
Emily Barry, IOPC director of engagement, acknowledged the profound impact the incident has had on the families involved, the police force, and the wider community. She noted that the full investigation is expected to take months due to the volume of information to be reviewed and addressed public speculation surrounding the crash.