PC Matthew Blades, 38, and PC Tom Clough, 37, also died in the devastating crash, with all seven victims pronounced dead at the scene.
A police cordon at the scene of a fatal crash involving a police car and a Volkswagen Passat (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
Five young men who died when their car was driven the wrong way down a dual carriageway before smashing into a police vehicle, killing two officers, have been named and pictured.On Sunday lunchtime Cleveland Police confirmed Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Theo Rae, 27, Cole Worthy, 16, Jakub Matusiak, 23, and 18-year-old Makai Saddington were killed when their Volkswagen Passat collided with the marked armed-response vehicle on the A66 near Middlesbrough.
The five are understood to have had close links to the travelling community. PC Matthew Blades, 38, and PC Tom Clough, 37, also died in the devastating crash, with all seven victims pronounced dead at the scene. The collision happened at about 3.39am on Saturday, just minutes after the Passat had been captured on a doorbell camera speeding through the streets of Middlesbrough.
Get the day's biggest headlines in UK and World news and more Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Michael Ray (Image: Facebook)
Police had been pursuing the vehicle after it was described as suspicious, with two police cars following it through the streets.
Footage shows the Passat travelling at speed before officers halted the pursuit when it turned on to the A66.
Three minutes later, the car ploughed into the path of a different marked armed-response vehicle, which was travelling on the correct side of the road.
Cleveland Police lowered its flags to half-mast at its Middlesbrough headquarters as tributes were paid to the two officers.
Chief Constable Victoria Fuller said: “These were brave officers, protecting our communities and serving our residents, who didn't return home to their families at the end of their shift.”
Theo Rae (left) and Cole Worthy (Image: Facebook)
She added: “This is an incredibly sad day for Cleveland.”
The five young men have also been mourned by devastated relatives and friends.
Mr Saddington’s aunt Sharon Morgan said there were “no words that can truly express the pain” of losing someone so young, while friends of Mr Worthy described his death as “a massive devastation”.
Tributes to Mr Rae described him as having a “heart of gold”, while Mr Ray was praised as a “lovely, down to earth lad”.
Mr Matusiak’s sister described her sibling as her “best friend always and forever”.
Makai Saddington, 18 (Image: Facebook)
But amid the grief, scrutiny has fallen on social media posts apparently showing Mr Saddington taking part in high-speed police chases.
One TikTok video filmed in May appears to show him travelling at speed in an Audi while a police car follows with its blue lights flashing.
The vehicle is then seen crossing a grassy playing field in an apparent attempt to evade officers.
Another video associated with Mr Saddington shows a green Nissan being driven around before being set alight, while separate images show him and a friend posing in cars wearing black balaclavas.
The footage has raised fears the fatal crash could be linked to a growing online craze involving young men filming police pursuits and sharing the clips for views and likes.
The tragedy came just days after five teenagers were killed in Ireland when a stolen BMW travelled the wrong way down the M9 in County Kildare.
Jakub Matusiak (Image: Facebook)
The Independent Office for Police Conduct has opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the A66 crash.
Chief Constable Fuller urged people to avoid speculation while the inquiry continues and to respect the privacy of the bereaved families.
Fourteen ambulances, specialist paramedics, a hazardous response team and a Great North Air Ambulance Service doctor attended the scene.
Despite the efforts of emergency crews, seven people died in the devastating collision.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.