A66 CRASH TRAGEDY TAKES SHOCKING TURN AS FATHER IS CHARGED AFTER HIS SON’S FUNERAL

The father of 17-year-old Cole Worthy has been charged following a disturbance at his son’s funeral — as an already devastated community faces another dramatic twist.

The funeral of a 17-year-old killed in the devastating A66 crash was supposed to be a day of remembrance.

Instead, the service was disrupted — and the teenager’s father is now facing criminal charges.

Gye Worthy, 39, has been charged after police were called to Teesside Crematorium during the funeral service for his son, Cole Worthy, on Wednesday, September 9.

Cleveland Police said Worthy was arrested following reports of a disturbance during the service.

He is now charged with common assault, a public order offence and obstructing police.

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

A FUNERAL THAT TURNED CHAOTIC

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

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

Cole’s funeral brought mourners together at Teesside Crematorium to remember a teenager described by his family as a beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, boyfriend and friend.

But during the ceremony, tensions reportedly erupted after Gye Worthy took exception to comments made during the service.

Police were called to the crematorium at around 12:30 p.m.

The service was temporarily disrupted before later resuming.

HIS MOTHER WAS LEFT “DEVASTATED”

According to a source close to the family, Cole’s mother, Natalie McConnell, was left devastated and shocked by what happened during her son’s funeral.

McConnell and Gye Worthy separated several years ago and both have since moved on with new partners.

Friends of the family later paid tribute to Cole, thanking those who attended despite the painful circumstances.

One message described how seeing so many people who had loved and cared for Cole meant more than words could express.

“Coley,” as he was affectionately known, was remembered as someone whose memory would remain with those closest to him.

THE A66 CRASH THAT SHOCKED MIDDLESBROUGH

Cole was among five young men travelling in a Volkswagen Passat when the vehicle ended up travelling the wrong way on the A66 and collided head-on with a marked police vehicle.

The five young men — Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Jakub Matusiak, 23, and Makai Saddington, 18 — all died.

PC Blades and PC Clough were also killed.

Police have said the five young men had links to organised crime and were attempting to flee police.

However, there is no suggestion that Gye Worthy himself has any links to organised crime.

The crash subsequently triggered heightened tensions across Middlesbrough, with police deploying hundreds of additional specialist officers as authorities attempted to prevent further disorder surrounding the victims’ funerals and related events.

A FAMILY GRIEVING — AND NOW ANOTHER COURT DATE

For Cole’s family, the latest development adds another painful chapter to a tragedy that has already devastated the community.

His funeral was meant to be a final opportunity for relatives and friends to say goodbye.

Instead, the service became the scene of a police intervention.

Gye Worthy now faces a court appearance on October 2.

The charges are allegations, not findings of guilt, and the case will be determined through the criminal justice process.

Meanwhile, Cole’s family and friends continue to mourn a teenager whose life ended at just 17.

And as the wider A66 tragedy continues to unfold, the funerals of those involved have become a powerful — and sometimes deeply troubled — reflection of the grief, anger and tension left behind by the crash.

For one family, the goodbye they had hoped would bring closure has instead opened another painful chapter.