Father Arrested After Disturbance at Funeral of 17-Year-Old A66 Crash Victim

Gye Worthy, 39, the father of 17-year-old Cole Worthy, was arrested after a disturbance broke out during his son’s funeral at Teesside Crematorium in Middlesbrough on September 9, 2026.

Police were called to the crematorium at around 12:30 p.m. following reports of a disturbance during the funeral service. Officers subsequently arrested Worthy in connection with the incident.

Worthy was later charged with common assault, a public order offense and obstructing police. The charges are allegations and do not represent a conviction.

Following the arrest, the funeral service continued, while police remained in the area to provide security and help maintain order.

Worthy is scheduled to appear before Teesside Magistrates’ Court on October 2, 2026, where the allegations are expected to be addressed.

Cole Worthy was one of five young people who died in a devastating crash on the A66 on August 22. A Volkswagen Passat traveling in the wrong direction on the road collided head-on with a police vehicle.

The crash also claimed the lives of two police officers, PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, bringing the total number of people killed in the collision to seven.

Cole’s funeral came just weeks after the tragedy, as his family and loved ones gathered to remember the 17-year-old.

As the legal proceedings involving Gye Worthy continue, he remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Source: LBC