Tragic Collision
PC Matthew Blades, 37, was one of two officers killed in a collision on the A66 in South Bank early Saturday morning. The crash involved a police vehicle and a Volkswagen Passat that was travelling the wrong way. The Passat carried five passengers - 17-year-olds Cole Robert Worthy and Theo Rae, 18-year-old Makai Saddington, and 23-year-olds Michael Robert Cahill and Jacob Matusiak - who also died. The incident claimed seven lives in total.
Tributes from Family and Clubs
Blades was a coach at FC Hartlepool and Seaton Carew Football Club, where his young sons play. Both clubs paid tribute to him earlier on Sunday. In a statement released by Cleveland Police, Blades’ wife 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.” She added that he was “an adored son and brother, a perfect son-in-law, and the most fun uncle” and that his “greatest legacy will always be the love he gave to his family.”
The family of PC Tom Clough, the second officer to die in the crash, also issued a statement through Cleveland Police. They described Clough as “our hero with a fantastic sense of humour” and thanked the community for its support.
Details of the Incident
The five casualties in the Volkswagen Passat were pursued by other police vehicles minutes earlier. The crash occurred on the A66 in South Bank, a location that had already seen police activity. Blades’ role as a football coach was highlighted by the clubs’ tributes, and his wife expressed gratitude for the “kindness, compassion, love and unwavering support” received from emergency services and the wider community.
Blades’ wife concluded her statement: “Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever our superhero. Our Matt and Dad.” The tragedy has left the Hartlepool community and the families of the victims in mourning, with the clubs and police continuing to honour the fallen officers.
