THEY CAME TO SAY ONE FINAL GOODBYE TO THEIR SON — THEN POLICE ARRIVED AT COLE WORTHY’S FUNERAL

The family of 17-year-old Cole Worthy was mourning one of five young people killed in the devastating A66 collision when an unexpected police incident unfolded at his funeral.

For Cole Worthy’s family, September 9 was supposed to be a day of remembrance — a final opportunity to say goodbye to their beloved 17-year-old son.

Instead, the funeral at Teesside Crematorium in Middlesbrough was interrupted by a police response after officers were called to a reported disturbance.

A 39-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault at the crematorium, Cleveland Police confirmed.

The man was later identified in reports as Gye Worthy, Cole’s father. He was subsequently charged with common assault, a public-order offence and obstructing police, according to reports.

He is due to appear before Teesside Magistrates’ Court on October 2. The allegations have not been proven in court.

 A FINAL FAREWELL TURNED INTO AN UNEXPECTED POLICE INCIDENT

Cole was one of five people travelling in a Volkswagen Passat who died in the devastating A66 collision on August 22.

The Passat was travelling the wrong way along the A66 in South Bank when it collided head-on with a marked Cleveland Police vehicle.

Two police officers — PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38 — also died in the collision.

Cleveland Police later identified the five occupants of the Passat as Cole Robert Worthy, 17; Theo Rae, 17; Makai Saddington, 18; Jakub Matusiak, 23; and Michael Robert Cahill, 23.

The tragedy left several families facing the unimaginable task of burying their loved ones.

For Cole’s family, that farewell took place at Teesside Crematorium on September 9.

POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE CREMATORIUM

Cleveland Police said its policing operation surrounding the funeral had “largely passed without incident or disruption.”

But during the service, officers were called to the crematorium.

In a statement issued that afternoon, Superintendent John Wrintmore confirmed:

“A 39-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault at Teesside Crematorium.”

Police said the man remained in custody at the time of the statement.

The force also said a visible police presence would remain in the area as further funerals connected to the A66 tragedy were due to take place later that week.

THE MAN WAS COLE’S FATHER

Reports subsequently identified the arrested man as Gye Worthy, Cole’s father.

He was later charged with common assault, a public-order offence and obstructing police, with a court appearance listed for October 2.

Because the case is now before the courts, the precise circumstances surrounding the alleged incident should not be treated as established fact.

What is clear is that a day intended to honour Cole became another deeply painful moment for his family.

 COLE WAS ONE OF FIVE YOUNG LIVES LOST

Cole’s death came as part of a tragedy that claimed seven lives in total.

At around 3:39am on August 22, the Volkswagen Passat collided with a Cleveland Police vehicle on the A66.

The two officers inside the police vehicle, PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, died alongside all five occupants of the Passat.

Cleveland Police referred the circumstances of the collision to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), as required following a death connected to police contact.

The force also launched a wider investigation into criminal activity believed to have occurred before the collision, with multiple arrests made in the days that followed. Police said the investigation had significant links to suspected serious and organised criminal activity.

A FAMILY LEFT TO GRIEVE

Behind the police investigation and headlines are families who lost sons, brothers, friends and loved ones.

Cole was just 17 years old.

His funeral should have been a moment for those closest to him to gather, remember his life and say goodbye.

Instead, the arrival of police added another unexpected chapter to a tragedy that has already devastated communities across Teesside.

The A66 investigation remains ongoing, while the separate allegations arising from the funeral will now be dealt with through the court process.

For Cole’s loved ones, however, the central reality remains unchanged:

A 17-year-old son is gone — and the day meant to be his final farewell became another day his family will never forget.