Several schools in Middlesbrough will close early on Monday to accommodate the funeral of Theo Rae, a 17-year-old who died in a crash that killed seven people. The early closures are intended to facilitate safe travel for students and their families.
Middlesbrough Council stated that a number of schools made the decision to close for Rae's funeral, including one primary school that cited the need to "ensure safe transit home for all our families." Rae was one of five individuals in a car that was traveling the wrong way down the A66 near Middlesbrough in the early hours of August 22 when it collided with an oncoming Cleveland Police vehicle.
This follows similar early closures last Friday for the funeral of Jakub Matusiak, another victim of the crash. Police reported that Matusiak's funeral passed without significant incident and with minimal traffic disruption.
The decision to close schools for funerals has drawn criticism. Conservative MP Laura Trott has stated that schools "should stay open for children to learn."
Rae's funeral is scheduled to take place at Teesside Crematorium in Acklam, Middlesbrough, on Monday afternoon. Cleveland Police are expected to implement similar arrangements to those seen on Friday, including a visible police presence in the vicinity of the crematorium.