The UK government has called on social media platforms, including TikTok, to remove videos that glorify dangerous driving, following a series of tragic incidents. This comes after a catastrophic head-on collision on the A66 in Teesside that resulted in the deaths of two police officers and five young men.
Jakub Matusiak, 23, was among the five young men who died in the crash. His family and friends gathered in South Bank, near Middlesbrough, to commemorate him with a balloon release, flares, and a display by masked bikers. Approximately 200 people attended the event, which saw hundreds of orange balloons released and dozens of flares set off. Some attendees expressed indignation at the media coverage, defending Matusiak as a loved son and brother, and stating that the deaths of the police officers were an accident.
Redcar's Labour MP Anna Turley attended the memorial to support the community, emphasizing the need for a space to grieve and reflect on the tragic loss of life, particularly that of the police officers.
PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, were killed when their unmarked response vehicle was struck by a Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong way down the A66. The crash occurred approximately 10 seconds after a police car had been pursuing the Volkswagen but called off the chase. The five young men in the Volkswagen were Matusiak, Cole Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and Michael Cahill, 23.
Authorities have arrested 12 people in connection with the crash. Investigations are ongoing, with reports indicating that some of the vehicles involved were using cloned number plates. Police stated there is no evidence that the activities were filmed for TikTok. The crash occurred less than a week after five teenagers died in a similar head-on collision while driving the wrong way on the M9 in Co. Kildare, Ireland.
In response to these incidents, Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that the government has urged TikTok and other platforms to remove content that glorifies dangerous driving, calling it "truly reprehensible." A Downing Street spokesman described the glorification of dangerous driving for online clips as "utterly disgraceful."
Meanwhile, tribute have been paid to the two police officers. A GoFundMe appeal for their families has raised over £500,000. PC Blades' wife described him as "our superhero," and PC Clough's family called him "our hero."