EVEN ON THE DAY THEY SAID GOODBYE TO THEIR SON, POLICE ARRIVED — AND THE FUNERAL DESCENDED INTO CHAOS

The family of 17-year-old Cole Worthy was already facing unimaginable grief. Then, during his funeral at Teesside Crematorium, police were suddenly called to a disturbance inside the service.

For Cole Worthy’s family, September 9 was supposed to be a day of farewell.

Instead, it became another shocking chapter in the tragedy that has gripped Middlesbrough.

Cole, 17, was one of five young men killed in the horrific A66 crash on August 22. Two police officers also lost their lives in the same collision.

Weeks later, his family gathered at Teesside Crematorium to say goodbye.

But around midday, police were suddenly called to reports of a disturbance inside the funeral service.

And within hours, a member of Cole’s own family had been taken into custody.

POLICE RUSH TO THE CREMATORIUM

Cleveland Police said officers were called to Teesside Crematorium at around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9, following reports of a disturbance during the service.

A 39-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault.

The funeral service was later able to resume, while officers remained in the area to provide reassurance.

At the time, police did not publicly identify the man.

That changed days later.

COLE’S FATHER WAS CHARGED

Police confirmed that the man was Cole’s father, Gye Worthy, 39.

He has since been charged with common assault, a public order offence and obstructing police.

He is due to appear before Teesside Magistrates’ Court on October 2.

The circumstances surrounding the alleged confrontation have drawn further attention because it happened during the funeral of his own son.

Reports have said the disturbance involved another mourner, but the precise circumstances and evidence surrounding the allegations will ultimately be matters for the court.

Worthy has not been convicted of the allegations.

A FAMILY ALREADY LIVING THROUGH TRAGEDY

Cole was one of five young men who died in the A66 collision.

The crash also claimed the lives of Cleveland Police officers PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38.

The tragedy happened in the early hours of August 22 when a Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong way on the A66 collided head-on with a marked police vehicle.

The deaths sent shockwaves through Middlesbrough and surrounding communities.

But the events surrounding the crash did not end there.

TENSIONS HAVE CONTINUED AFTER THE CRASH

The funerals of the young men have taken place amid heightened police attention and concerns about disorder.

Earlier funerals linked to the crash were accompanied by large gatherings, vehicles and reports of disruption, prompting authorities to increase the police presence across the area.

Cleveland Police has brought in additional officers from other forces as it works to prevent further disorder and investigate suspected organised-crime links surrounding the events.

The funeral of Cole Worthy took place on the same day that hundreds of police officers gathered in Hartlepool to pay tribute to PC Matthew Blades.

The contrast was stark.

At one ceremony, officers stood in formation to honour a fellow public servant.

At another, a grieving family was trying to say goodbye to a 17-year-old son.

And in the middle of that farewell, police were called.

A FINAL GOODBYE THAT NO FAMILY EXPECTED

For Cole’s loved ones, the funeral should have been the moment to remember the teenager they knew before the crash.

Instead, the day ended with another arrest and another set of court proceedings.

Cole’s death had already left his family with a loss they could never undo.

Now, even the day meant to mark his final farewell has become part of the story surrounding the A66 tragedy.

The service eventually continued.

But the shock of what happened inside the crematorium will likely remain another painful memory for a family already struggling to come to terms with losing their son.

Cole was only 17.

His family came to say goodbye.

Instead, they witnessed yet another moment of turmoil surrounding a tragedy that has already claimed seven lives.

And now, his father’s next chapter will be decided in court.