Saturday, August 29, 2026
Privacy-First Edition
Back to NNN
Sports

Football fans pay tribute to crash death officers at Middlesbrough match

Image source, PA MediaImage caption, Images of the officers were displayed on a screen during the silence

Football fans and players have paid tribute to two Cleveland Police officers who were killed in a crash on Teesside.

PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough died in a head-on collision between their police car and a vehicle going the wrong way on the A66 near Middlesbrough early on 22 August - five people in the other vehicle also died.

Middlesbrough and West Bromwich Albion players observed a minute's silence in their memory ahead of the Championship match at Riverside Stadium, as pictures of the two men were displayed on a screen.

On Friday evening Hartlepool United also held a two-minute silence before their home National League game against Eastleigh.

Middlesbrough FC said in a statement prior to the match: "We are also showing our appreciation for the dedication and hard work of both men, and to Cleveland Police force in protecting and supporting our local community.

"The commitment shown by officers and staff, often in challenging and demanding circumstances, plays a vital role in keeping residents safe and helping people feel secure in their homes, neighbourhoods and local areas."

Image source, Cleveland PoliceImage caption, PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough were killed in a crash near Middlesbrough last Saturday

Earlier this week 17 people were arrested in connection with the investigation into the crash bringing the total number of arrests to 24.

The occupants of the other vehicle, a Passat - Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Jacob Matusiak, 23, Makai Saddington, 18, Theo Rae, 17, and Cole Robert Worthy, 17, also died.

Follow BBC Tees on X,, external Facebook, external, Nextdoor and Instagram, external and listen to Radio Tees on BBC Sounds.

Contact formContact formRelated topicsMiddlesbroughGrangetownCleveland PoliceMore on this storyA66 fatal crash: Who has been arrested or charged?

Read original at BBC News

The Perspectives

0 verified voices · Three viewpoints · Real discourse

Left
0
Be the first to share a left perspective
Center
0
Be the first to share a center perspective
Right
0
Be the first to share a right perspective

Related Stories