Seven people, including two police officers, confirmed dead after crash on A66 near Middlesbrough
The collision happened following a pursuit in the early hours of Saturday
Last updated 22 hours ago
Seven people, including two police officers, have died in a crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough following a pursuit in the early hours of Saturday.
A Volkswagen Passat was travelling the wrong way down the A66 and collided with a police vehicle on the same road going in the right direction, Cleveland Police said.
Two serving police officers in the marked vehicle and five members of the public travelling in the Passat were pronounced dead at the scene after the crash at 3.39am on Saturday.
The families of those identified have been informed and are being offered specialist support, police said.
Anna Turley, MP for the Redcar constituency where the crash happened, has shared her condolences.
In a statement she said:
“My heart goes out to every family, friend and loved one now facing the most unimaginable loss following this morning’s devastating accident on the A66.
“Cleveland Police have confirmed that seven people have sadly lost their lives. Their families and loved ones are now facing an unimaginable loss that will be felt forever.
“Two of the seven people who have lost their lives were Cleveland Police officers, on duty serving our community. They went to work to keep people safe, and they should have come home to their families. Their loss will be felt deeply by their loved ones, fellow officers and right across the communities they served.
“Cleveland Police are investigating the accident, alongside the Independent Office for Police Conduct. It is crucial that we respect that process and avoid speculation at this deeply painful time.
“I cannot begin to imagine how difficult this has been for the emergency services responding to such a devastating incident. Thank you to every one of them for their courage, care and professionalism.
“I am being kept updated by Cleveland Police and by the Home Office as Minister and will share further official information when appropriate.
“The A66 will remain closed in both directions between Normanby Road and Church Lane. Please avoid the area and use alternative routes.”
The chairwoman of Cleveland Police Federation said “words cannot describe the pain” following the death of two police officers in a crash on the A66.
Lauren Somerville said: “Words cannot describe the pain the Cleveland Police family are feeling today.
“Our colleagues who should have been going home to their loved ones at the end of their shifts are not. And that is just unfathomable.
“Cleveland Police Federation will be offering full support to our fallen colleagues’ families and they have all of our love and care at this time.
“When the time is right we will pay full tribute to our brave colleagues. But we can assure that their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
In a statement, the federation said it was supporting the two officers’ close colleagues and asked people to “spare a thought” for the Cleveland Police officers at work following the deaths.
The Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has also given her reaction.