A66 CRASH TRAGEDY TAKES SHOCKING TURN AS FATHER IS CHARGED AFTER HIS SON’S FUNERAL

THE FUNERAL OF 17-YEAR-OLD COLE WORTHY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A FINAL FAREWELL. INSTEAD, THE EMOTIONAL SERVICE WAS DISRUPTED — AND NOW HIS FATHER IS FACING CHARGES.

The funeral of 17-year-old Cole Worthy, one of the young victims of the devastating A66 crash, has taken a shocking turn after his father was charged following a disturbance during the service.

Gye Worthy, 39, was arrested at Teesside Crematorium on Wednesday, September 9, after police were called to reports of a disturbance inside the funeral service.

He has now been charged with common assault, a public-order offence and obstructing police, Cleveland Police confirmed.

He is due to appear in court on October 2.

A FAREWELL THAT DESCENDED INTO CHAOS

Cole’s funeral was intended to give his family, friends and community the chance to say goodbye to the teenager.

Instead, tensions reportedly erupted during the service after Gye Worthy allegedly reacted to comments made during the ceremony.

Police were called at around 12:30 p.m., and officers quickly attended the crematorium.

The service was eventually able to continue.

But for Cole’s family, the disruption reportedly made an already devastating day even harder.

A source close to the family told The Sun that Cole’s mother, Natalie McConnell, was left “devastated and shocked” by what happened.

COLE WAS ONLY 17

Cole was one of five young men who died in the A66 crash on August 22.

The other victims were Michael Robert Cahill, 23; Jakub Matusiak, 23; Makai Saddington, 18; and Theo Rae, 17.

Two Cleveland Police officers — PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38 — also died when the vehicles collided.

The tragedy has since triggered intense scrutiny, grief and tensions across Middlesbrough.

Police have said the five young men in the Volkswagen Passat were believed to have links to organised crime and were attempting to flee police before the collision.

However, there is no suggestion that Gye Worthy has links to organised crime, according to reports.

A FUNERAL UNDER HEAVY SECURITY

Cole’s funeral came during an especially tense period for Middlesbrough.

The A66 tragedy was followed by concerns about disorder and escalating tensions connected to suspected organised crime.

Around 200 additional specialist officers, including armed officers from other northern police forces, were deployed to the area as authorities attempted to prevent further trouble.

Other funerals connected to the crash had already drawn large crowds and controversy.

At one earlier funeral, schools were closed early because of concerns over potential disruption.

For Cole’s service, however, schools remained open.

A FAMILY SAYING GOODBYE

Despite the controversy surrounding the crash, Cole’s family remembered him as much more than the circumstances of his final moments.

A family funeral notice described him as an “adored son, brother, grandson, nephew [and] cousin”, as well as a loving boyfriend and cherished friend.

It ended with a heartbreaking message:

“Fly high Cole, forever 17.”

For those closest to him, the funeral was supposed to be about remembering the teenager they knew and loved.

Instead, the ceremony itself became another chapter in a tragedy that has already shaken an entire community.

HIS FATHER NOW FACES COURT

Gye Worthy is accused of common assault, a public-order offence and obstructing police.

Those are allegations, and he has not been convicted of any offence.

His court appearance is scheduled for October 2.

Meanwhile, the funerals of the victims and the two police officers continue to draw enormous attention.

Just hours after Cole’s service, mourners were also paying tribute to PC Matthew Blades, whose funeral in Hartlepool was attended by hundreds of police officers, members of the public and representatives from forces across the UK.

And the following day, another emotional farewell was held for PC Tom Clough.

Seven lives were lost in one devastating collision.

Now, as families continue to bury those they loved, the aftermath of the A66 tragedy is proving to be about far more than the crash itself.

A SON WAS LAID TO REST.

A FAMILY WAS LEFT HEARTBROKEN.

AND NOW HIS FATHER IS HEADING TO COURT.