Two serving Cleveland Police officers are among seven people killed in a devastating collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough after a Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong way struck their marked police vehicle.
Cleveland Police confirmed the death toll following the collision in South Bank at around 3.39am on Saturday, 22 August.
Five members of the public travelling in the Volkswagen Passat were also killed. Police said all occupants of both vehicles were pronounced dead at the scene. Officers are continuing work to formally identify everyone who was inside the Volkswagen and contact their families. (Cleveland Police)
The force said the Passat had been travelling the wrong way along the A66 when it collided with the marked police vehicle, which was travelling in the correct direction.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct has launched an investigation after confirming that police had earlier identified a “suspicious vehicle” and a pursuit began. Investigators are examining the circumstances leading up to the collision.
A major emergency response was deployed, with the North East Ambulance Service sending 14 resources, including ambulance crews, a specialist paramedic, its Hazardous Area Response Team and a doctor from the Great North Air Ambulance Service.
Despite the efforts of emergency crews, none of the seven people could be saved.
The A66 remains closed between Normanby Road and Church Lane, with motorists being urged to avoid the area while collision investigators continue work at the scene.
Redcar MP Anna Turley paid tribute to the two officers, saying they had been serving their community when they died.
She said the officers “went to work to keep people safe”, adding that their deaths would be felt deeply by their families, colleagues and the communities they served.
Cleveland Police has asked members of the public to avoid speculation while the victims are formally identified and relatives are supported.
The collision is now the subject of a major investigation, with forensic work expected to continue for some time.
More to follow.
