The police pursuit of a Volkswagen Passat ended around 10 seconds before it collided with another Cleveland Police vehicle in a crash which killed seven people, the police watchdog has revealed.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has released further details of its investigation into the devastating collision on the A66 at South Bank, which claimed the lives of five men travelling in the Passat and two serving police officers.
Cleveland Police had received intelligence linking the Volkswagen to a number of incidents before the vehicle was located.
An armed response vehicle subsequently began pursuing the Passat.
Pursuit lasted almost seven minutes
According to the IOPC, analysis of police in-car footage shows the pursuit lasted just under seven minutes.
The Passat then entered the A66 and began travelling against the flow of traffic.
Officers pursuing the vehicle abandoned the chase at that point and continued travelling on the correct side of the carriageway.
Investigators have now established that approximately 10 seconds after the pursuit was terminated, the Passat collided with another Cleveland Police vehicle.
The collision happened at around 3.39am.
The police vehicle involved in the fatal collision had not been taking part in the pursuit.
It was in the area assisting with a search after an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera alerted officers to a vehicle believed to be displaying cloned registration plates.
Seven people killed
Both police officers travelling in the vehicle were killed.
They have been named as PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough of Cleveland Police.
All five male occupants of the Volkswagen Passat also died.
They have been named as Michael Cahill, Theo Rae, Cole Worthy, Jacob Matusiak and Makai Saddington.
Police footage being examined
The IOPC’s independent investigation is examining the circumstances surrounding the police pursuit and the events immediately before the collision.
Investigators have already obtained police in-car footage, incident logs and initial accounts from officers involved in the pursuit.
Further evidence continues to be gathered and analysed.
IOPC Director of Engagement Derrick Campbell said the watchdog’s thoughts remained with the families, friends and everyone affected by the tragedy.
The IOPC said its investigation remains ongoing and it will not make further comment at this stage.
Chief Constable visits families of fallen officers
Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller has confirmed that she and Deputy Chief Constable Dave Sutherland visited the families of the two officers who died.
Speaking outside Cleveland Police headquarters in Middlesbrough, Ms Fuller said: “This is an incredibly sad day for Cleveland.
“The loss has been felt across our communities, by our police family and by our partner agencies.”
The force said support continues to be provided to the officers’ families as well as police officers and staff affected by the tragedy.
