THEY CAME TO SAY GOODBYE TO THEIR 17-YEAR-OLD SON — THEN POLICE SUDDENLY ARRIVED AT HIS FUNERAL

Cole Worthy’s family had gathered at Teesside Crematorium to say one final goodbye to the 17-year-old killed in the devastating A66 crash. Then, just after midday, police were called to the funeral service following reports of a disturbance.

A FINAL FAREWELL FOR COLE

The funeral of 17-year-old Cole Worthy was supposed to be a moment for his family and friends to grieve, remember his life and say goodbye.

Cole was one of five young men who died in the early hours of August 22, 2026, when a Volkswagen Passat travelling on the wrong side of the A66 collided head-on with a marked police vehicle in Middlesbrough.

Two Cleveland Police officers, PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, also died in the crash.

Cole’s family had spent the weeks since the tragedy preparing to lay their son to rest.

But his funeral on Wednesday, September 9, took an unexpected turn.

POLICE RUSH TO THE CREMATORIUM

At around 12:30 p.m., Cleveland Police were called to Teesside Crematorium after receiving reports of a disturbance during the service.

Officers quickly attended the scene.

A 39-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault and taken into police custody.

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

Despite the disruption, the funeral service eventually resumed, while officers remained in the area to provide reassurance.

For Cole’s family, the situation meant that an already devastating day became even more difficult.

COLE’S FATHER NOW FACES CHARGES

Cleveland Police later confirmed that Gye Worthy had been charged with common assault, a public-order offence and obstructing police.

He is due to appear before Teesside Magistrates’ Court on October 2, 2026.

Reports have said the alleged incident followed comments made during the funeral service. However, those claims should be treated as allegations while the legal process continues.

There is no suggestion that Gye Worthy has any links to organised crime, despite police previously stating that the five young men in the Passat may have had links to organised crime.

A TRAGEDY THAT HAS SHAKEN MIDDLESBROUGH

Cole was one of five young men who died in the A66 collision: Michael Robert Cahill, 23; Jakub Matusiak, 23; Makai Saddington, 18; Theo Rae, 17; and Cole Worthy, 17.

The two police officers travelling in the marked vehicle, PC Blades and PC Clough, also lost their lives.

The deaths triggered a major police operation in Middlesbrough, with additional officers deployed amid concerns about disorder connected to the wider tensions surrounding the incident.

The funerals that followed have attracted significant attention, with police maintaining a strong presence around several services.

THE DAY THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT COLE

For Cole’s loved ones, however, the funeral was ultimately about a 17-year-old son, brother, grandson, boyfriend and friend whose life ended far too soon.

His family’s memorial announcement described him as “our beautiful boy”, an adored son and a cherished friend.

The funeral was intended to give those who loved him a chance to remember the person behind the headlines surrounding the crash.

Instead, the family found themselves facing another unexpected and deeply distressing incident on a day that was already filled with grief.

Cole was only 17.

And as his family gathered to say their final goodbye, the arrival of police became another painful chapter in a tragedy that has already left seven families mourning.