FAMILIES OF PC MATTHEW BLADES AND PC TOM CLOUGH THANK PUBLIC FOR OVERWHELMING SUPPORT AFTER A66 CRASH

The families of two police officers killed in the devastating A66 crash near Middlesbrough have thanked the public for the overwhelming support shown to them in the weeks since their deaths.

PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, were killed in the early hours of August 22 when the marked police vehicle they were travelling in was struck by a Volkswagen Passat travelling on the wrong side of the A66 in South Bank, near Middlesbrough.

Five people travelling in the Passat also died, bringing the total number of lives lost in the collision to seven.

FAMILIES SPEAK OUT AFTER FUNERAL TRIBUTES

In the weeks following the crash, hundreds of police officers, military veterans and members of the public gathered to pay their respects to the two officers.

PC Clough’s funeral was held in Redcar on September 10, with police and Army veterans lining the streets as his cortege passed.

His family later thanked members of the public who had stopped their journeys, stood beside their cars and bowed their heads as the procession passed.

They said Clough would have been “amazed and so grateful” for the support shown to him and his family.

“To each and every one of you we are immensely grateful,” the family said. “Your support, love and warmth has helped our family navigate the loss of Tom, to celebrate his life and the legacy he will leave across our communities.”

Clough had served in the Royal Logistic Corps before working with the Civil Nuclear Constabulary and British Transport Police. He later joined Cleveland Police as an armed response officer.

His family had previously described him as “our hero with a fantastic sense of humour”, saying he was someone who would “jump into action whenever needed” and was willing to help others.

MATTHEW BLADES REMEMBERED AS A DEVOTED FATHER

PC Matthew Blades was also remembered by his family as a loving husband and devoted father.

His wife described him as her “beloved husband”, “best friend” and the “most devoted father” to their two young boys.

She said his death had left a loss that could never be filled.

“He gave his life in the line of duty, protecting and serving others with courage, dedication and selflessness,” she said.

“Our children will grow up knowing what an incredible father he was and will always be.”

The family later expressed their heartfelt thanks to everyone who had supported them following his death.

Blades was also remembered through football.

He had recently joined Seaton Carew FC as a coach and had been looking forward to coaching his own son in the club’s under-seven Seahawks team.

FC Hartlepool, where he had also coached youngsters, described him as “a role model, a mentor, a friend” and someone the children looked up to and admired.

A TRAGEDY THAT SHOCKED THE COMMUNITY

The crash happened at around 3:39 a.m. on August 22.

According to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), officers had been pursuing the Passat for just under seven minutes after receiving information linking the vehicle to “numerous incidents.”

The Passat then entered the A66 travelling against the flow of traffic.

The pursuit was aborted, and approximately 10 seconds later the Passat collided with the police vehicle carrying Blades and Clough.

The two officers were not involved in the original pursuit. They were in the area assisting with the search for the vehicle.

The other five people killed were Michael Robert Cahill, 23; Jakub Matusiak, 23; Makai Saddington, 18; Theo Rae, 17; and Cole Robert Worthy, 17.

The IOPC continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, including the police pursuit and events leading up to the collision.

“FOREVER LOVED. FOREVER MISSED.”

In the aftermath of the tragedy, tributes have continued to come from colleagues, veterans, football clubs and people across the Teesside community.

For the families of Blades and Clough, the public response has become an important part of remembering the two officers.

Their families have repeatedly expressed gratitude to those who stood along the roads during the funeral processions, sent messages of condolence and supported them through the devastating weeks that followed.

Two officers who left home to serve their communities never returned.

Now, their families are carrying forward their memories — with Matthew Blades remembered as a devoted husband and father, and Tom Clough as a dedicated officer, veteran, partner and friend.

Forever loved. Forever missed.