‘MY BELOVED HUSBAND, MY BEST FRIEND’ — WIFE OF PC MATTHEW BLADES PAYS HEARTBREAKING TRIBUTE AFTER A66 CR@SH
‘MY BELOVED HUSBAND, MY BEST FRIEND’ — WIFE OF PC MATTHEW BLADES PAYS HEARTBREAKING TRIBUTE AFTER A66 CR@SH
She called him her beloved husband, her best friend — and the most devoted father to their two young boys.
Now, PC Matthew Blades’ family is facing a future without him.
The 37-year-old Cleveland Police officer was among seven people who died in the devastating A66 collision in South Bank, Middlesbrough, on August 22.
His colleague, PC Tom Clough, 38, also died in the crash. Five young men travelling in a Volkswagen Passat were also killed.
‘OUR CHILDREN WILL ALWAYS KNOW WHAT AN INCREDIBLE FATHER HE WAS’
In a heartbreaking statement released through Cleveland Police, Matthew’s wife said there were “no words” that could properly honour her husband.
She described him as a devoted father, an adored son and brother, a perfect son-in-law and a much-loved uncle.
She said the pain of losing him was beyond words — but that the love he gave his family would never fade.
Her final words were especially powerful:
“Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever our superhero. Our Matt and Dad.”
HE WASN’T ONLY A POLICE OFFICER
Away from the uniform, Matthew was deeply involved in his local football community.
He coached children at FC Hartlepool, including his eldest son, where the club described him as a role model, mentor and friend.
He had also recently joined Seaton Carew FC as a coach for its Under-7 Seahawks team and was looking forward to coaching his own younger son.
For the children he coached, Matthew wasn’t simply someone standing on the sidelines.
He was someone they looked up to.
And for his own two boys, he was Dad.
THE CRASH THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
The fatal collision happened in the early hours of August 22.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct said the Passat had been pursued by police for just under seven minutes before it travelled onto the A66 against the flow of traffic.
The pursuit was then abandoned.
About 10 seconds later, the Passat collided with another police vehicle that was not part of the pursuit but was in the area assisting officers.
That collision claimed seven lives. The IOPC continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Matthew had been doing his job.
He was on duty.
And he never made it home.
HIS LEGACY LIVES ON
The grief has spread far beyond his immediate family.
Football supporters across Teesside paid tribute to Matthew and Tom, while the children Matthew coached also remembered the man who had encouraged them on the pitch.
His two sons have since carried his memory onto one of the biggest football stages.
They were invited to lead Manchester United out at Old Trafford as mascots — a deeply emotional moment for a family grieving a father who was described as a “proud Red.”
Matthew’s uniform may have been left behind.
But his role as a husband, father, coach and mentor will never be forgotten.
For his wife, he wasn’t simply PC Matthew Blades.
He was Matt.
Her husband.
Her best friend.
And to their two boys, their superhero. 💙
