Major update on deadly A66 wrong-way crash as police watchdog issues bombshell revelation.TA
The tragic crash occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The fatal crash on the A66 in South Bank killed seven people – including two police officers (Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has issued a huge update as part of its investigation into the fatal crash on the A66 on Saturday, August 22, that saw seven people tragically die, including two police officers. The watchdog launched an independent investigation after receiving a mandatory referral from Cleveland Police. IOPC investigators were sent to the scene and the post-incident procedure to begin examining the circumstances leading up to the crash.
Initial enquiries have established that Cleveland Police received intelligence relating to a number of incidents linked to a Volkswagen Passat. The vehicle, which was carrying five men, was later spotted by officers, prompting an armed response vehicle to begin a pursuit.
Get the day’s biggest headlines in UK and World news and more Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
A police cordon at the scene of a fatal crash involving a police car and a Volkswagen Passat (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
Analysis of in-car police footage has established that the pursuit lasted just under seven minutes. The Passat subsequently travelled onto the A66 in South Bank against the flow of traffic.
At that point, officers aborted the pursuit and continued travelling on the correct side of the carriageway.
Around 10 seconds after the pursuit ended, the Passat collided with another police vehicle. That vehicle had not been involved in the pursuit but was in the area assisting officers searching for the Passat, which was believed to be displaying cloned registration plates that had triggered an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera.
The collision occurred at approximately 3.39am and resulted in the deaths of seven people.
Among those killed were two Cleveland Police officers, PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough.
The five occupants of the Passat have also been identified as Michael Cahill, Theo Rae, Cole Worthy, Jacob Matusiak and Makai Saddington.
The IOPC said its investigation remains at an early stage and that investigators have obtained initial accounts from officers involved in the pursuit, as well as the incident log and in-car footage.
Derrick Campbell, IOPC Director of Engagement, said the organisation’s thoughts remained with the families, friends and everyone affected by the collision.
He said the incident had had a “devastating impact” on Cleveland Police, the wider policing community and local residents, adding that the IOPC offered its condolences to those affected.
The watchdog said further material was being sought and that investigators would continue to review and analyse all available evidence.
The IOPC said it would not provide any further comment at this time as the investigation continues.
