Hundreds of police officers and members of the public gathered in Hartlepool to mourn the death of Police Constable Matt Blades, 37, who was killed in a head-on collision on the A66. PC Blades, an armed response officer and former teacher who had served with Cleveland Police since 2015, died alongside his colleague PC Tom Clough, 38, when their vehicle was struck by a car traveling the wrong way down the road.
The funeral procession for PC Blades was marked by a dignified silence, a stark contrast to recent services held for the five young men who were in the car that collided with the officers. Those services had reportedly seen incidents including vehicles being set alight and fireworks being discharged.
During PC Blades' funeral at St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, police received reports of a disturbance at a nearby service for Cole Worthy, one of the passengers in the car involved in the fatal crash. Officers responded, and a 39-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault before the service for Worthy resumed.
At PC Blades' funeral, officers from across the country lined the streets, many wearing identity patches with the numbers of both fallen officers. Standard bearers from various forces were present, and pipers played "Amazing Grace" as the coffin was carried into the church. Representatives from the North East Ambulance Service and Great North Air Ambulance also attended. Among the dignitaries present were Policing Minister Sarah Jones, Home Office Minister Anna Turley, and Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen.
Lauren Somerville, Chair of Cleveland Police Federation, paid tribute to PC Blades, stating, "The police family came together shoulder to shoulder today, arm in arm to remember our brave colleague PC Matthew Blades." She added that his family had shown "incredible dignity and bravery" and that support for them would continue.
PC Blades, described as a devoted husband and father to two young sons, was also a football coach for youth teams and a Manchester United fan. His wife, Sarah, in a statement released after his death, said, "He gave his life in the line of duty, protecting and serving others with courage, dedication and selflessness."
Members of the public attending the funeral expressed their gratitude and respect for PC Blades. Helen Byers, a nurse from Hartlepool, said, "This was a young lad who lost his life looking after us all. It's just tragic." Another attendee, retired care worker Anne Roe, called the police "heroes" and stated she felt compelled to pay her respects.
The incident occurred on August 24, 2026, when the officers, responding to a call, were involved in the collision with a car traveling the wrong way on the A66. The five occupants of the other vehicle also died in the crash.