Tributes paid to PCs Matthew Blades and Tom Clough who died after head-on collision with car travelling wrong way
Two 17-year-old boys were among seven people killed on Teesside when a car travelling the wrong way on the A66, believed to be using cloned plates, crashed head-on into a police vehicle.
Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and 23-year-olds Michael Robert Cahill and Jacob Matusiak died when their Volkswagen Passat collided with a marked armed response vehicle early on Saturday near Middlesbrough.
PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, of Cleveland police, who were also killed in the collision, had been driving in the correct direction. Tributes have been paid to the officers, with their chief constable, Victoria Fuller, describing them as “brave officers protecting our communities”.
Clough’s family described him as “our hero with a fantastic sense of humour” and someone who “jumped into action whenever needed, and [was] willing to help anyone for any reason”.
In a statement issued via Cleveland police, the family said Clough had “proudly fought for his country to make the world a better place. Always on public duty throughout his short life.
“We as a family and Tom’s partner would like to express our sincere gratitude for the overwhelming support and condolences from friends, colleagues and the wider community.”
Blades’ wife said the pain of losing him is “beyond words” and the family’s lives “will never be the same”.
In a statement issued through the force, she said: “No words will ever feel like the right words to honour our Matt – my beloved husband, my best friend, and the most devoted father to our two young boys.
“He was an adored son and brother, a perfect son-in-law, and the most fun uncle. He was loved beyond words by all his family and friends, and his loss has left a space that can never be filled.
“He gave his life in the line of duty, protecting and serving others with courage, dedication and selflessness.
“The pain of losing him is beyond words, and our lives will never be the same. Neither will the love he gave us ever fade.
“Our children will grow up knowing what an incredible father he was and will always be, and I will carry his love, his memory and everything we shared with me always.
“He may have left this world committed to the duty he believed in, but his greatest legacy will always be the love he gave to his family.”
Blades’ wife, who has not been named, also expressed “deepest gratitude and heartfelt thanks” to the police and emergency services and concluded: “Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever our superhero.”
