FUNERAL DESCENDS INTO CHAOS — DAD OF A66 CRASH VICTIM CHARGED AFTER DISTURBANCE AT HIS SON’S SERVICE

Gye Worthy, 39, has been charged with common assault, a public-order offence and obstructing police after a disturbance disrupted the funeral of his 17-year-old son, Cole Worthy.

A funeral meant to give a grieving family a final chance to say goodbye to their son instead descended into chaos after the father of A66 crash victim Cole Worthy was charged following a disturbance during the service.

Gye Worthy, 39, was arrested at Teesside Crematorium in Middlesbrough on September 9, after police were called to reports of a disturbance during his son’s funeral.

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

Cleveland Police confirmed that Worthy is due to appear before Teesside Magistrates’ Court on October 2, 2026.

The charges are allegations, and Worthy remains innocent unless and until proven guilty.

THE FUNERAL OF A 17-YEAR-OLD

Cole Worthy, 17, was one of five young men who died in the horrific A66 crash on August 22.

The five were travelling in a Volkswagen Passat when it collided with a marked police vehicle on the wrong side of the road.

Cole died alongside Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Jakub Matusiak, 23, and Makai Saddington, 18.

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

Cole’s funeral was held on Wednesday, September 9, at Teesside Crematorium.

Family and friends had gathered to remember a teenager described in his funeral announcement as a beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, boyfriend and friend.

But around 12:30 p.m., police were called after a disturbance was reported inside the crematorium.

Officers quickly attended and arrested a 39-year-old man.

The service later resumed, while police remained in the area to provide reassurance.

THE MAN ARRESTED WAS COLE’S FATHER

The man arrested was Gye Worthy, Cole’s father.

According to The Sun, the disturbance reportedly followed comments made during the service, with Worthy allegedly taking exception to what was said.

A source close to the family said Cole’s mother, Natalie McConnell, was “devastated and shocked” by what happened.

The couple separated several years ago and both have since moved on with new partners.

Despite the disruption, McConnell later thanked mourners for turning out to remember her son.

A friend posted a message on her behalf expressing gratitude to everyone who attended and supported the family during what should have been an emotional farewell.

COLE’S DEATH WAS PART OF A WIDER TRAGEDY

The funeral came just weeks after the devastating A66 collision that shook Middlesbrough and surrounding communities.

Police have said the five young men in the Passat had 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, and the allegations against him are separate from the circumstances surrounding his son’s death.

The crash has also been followed by a series of highly publicised disturbances and concerns about potential disorder surrounding the funerals.

Authorities have deployed an additional 200 specialist officers, including armed police from other northern forces, as tensions in the area continue. Police have also made arrests as part of efforts to disrupt organised crime.

OTHER FUNERALS HAVE ALSO DRAWN HUGE CROWDS

Cole’s service was one of several funerals held for the five young men killed in the crash.

Earlier services had attracted hundreds of mourners and significant police operations.

The funeral of Theo Rae, 17, saw large crowds gather in Middlesbrough, while concerns over possible disruption led several schools to close early.

At an earlier memorial for Michael Cahill, vehicles were reportedly driven around a field before several were set alight, prompting police and firefighters to attend.

The scenes have intensified concerns that the aftermath of the A66 tragedy could fuel further disorder in the region.

A DAY OF TWO VERY DIFFERENT FAREWELLS

Cole Worthy’s funeral took place on the same day that hundreds of mourners gathered in Hartlepool to remember PC Matthew Blades, one of the two officers killed in the crash.

Blades, a married father of two, was remembered as a dedicated officer, youth football coach and family man.

His coffin, draped in the Union Flag, was carried into a packed church as police officers and members of the public lined the streets.

PC Tom Clough, 38, was later honoured in a separate service.

The contrast between the solemn tributes to the two officers and the disruption surrounding some of the young men’s funerals has become another painful chapter in the aftermath of the A66 tragedy.

NOW, A FATHER FACES COURT

For Cole’s family, the circumstances surrounding his final farewell have added another layer of pain to an already devastating loss.

Gye Worthy now faces three charges arising from the disturbance at his son’s funeral.

He is scheduled to appear before magistrates on October 2.

The court proceedings will determine what happened inside the crematorium and whether the allegations against him can be proven.

For now, the investigation continues.

A 17-year-old boy’s funeral. A grieving family. A sudden disturbance. And now, a father facing court over what happened during his son’s final farewell.