The family of one of the two officers killed when a car driving the wrong way on the A66 dual carriageway crashed into their police vehicle said he was “our hero” who was “always on public duty”.
Pc Tom Clough, 38, died alongside Pc Matthew Blades, 37, when a Volkswagen Passat, that had been pursued by police, hit the marked armed response vehicle in Teesside early on Saturday.
Five males aged between 17 and 23 who were travelling in the Volkswagen were also killed.
Pc Clough’s family said in a statement issued by Cleveland Police: “He was our hero with a fantastic sense of humour. Jumped into action whenever needed, and willing to help anyone for any reason.
“Proudly fought for his country to make the world a better place. Always on public duty throughout his short life.”
They added: “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.”
Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and 23-year-olds Michael Robert Cahill and Jacob Matusiak were also pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which said on Sunday that Pc Blades and Pc Clough were not involved in the original pursuit, but had been called to the area to assist with the search for the Passat.
Cleveland Police had received intelligence relating to “numerous incidents” linked to a Passat, the watchdog said in its description of events.
The vehicle, containing the five occupants and believed to have been using cloned plates, was spotted.
The plates had activated an ANPR camera, the IOPC added.
An armed response vehicle started a pursuit that lasted just under seven minutes before the Passat drove on to the A66 in South Bank against the flow of traffic.
Police aborted the chase and continued to travel on the correct side of the carriageway.
The Passat crashed into Pc Blades and Pc Clough’s vehicle around 10 seconds after the pursuit ceased.
IOPC director of engagement Derrick Campbell paid his condolences to those affected, adding: “We recognise the devastating impact the incident has had on those in the force, and the wider policing community, and offer our condolences.
