Middlesbrough Schools Forced to Close Early as Crowds Gather for A66 Joyrider Funeral – Headteachers Accused of Surrendering to Thugs While Two Hero Cops Still Await Justice
Middlesbrough and the surrounding South Bank area entered a state of heightened tension on Friday as several schools closed early ahead of the funeral of Jakub Matusiak, one of five young men killed in the devastating A66 crash that also claimed the lives of two police officers.
The fatal collision occurred in the early hours of 22 August 2026 near South Bank. A Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong way along the dual carriageway slammed head-on into a marked Cleveland Police armed response vehicle. All five occupants of the Passat died at the scene, as did PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38. The young men were later named as Jakub Matusiak, 23; Michael Cahill, 23; Makai Saddington, 18; and 17-year-olds Theo Rae and Cole Worthy.
Police had been pursuing the Passat after reports of dangerous driving and linked criminal activity in the area. The chase was abandoned seconds before the car entered the A66 against the flow of traffic. Investigations continue into organised crime connections, with multiple arrests made in the days following the crash. Several of the deceased young men had previous convictions.
Matusiak’s funeral was scheduled for Friday at St John the Evangelist Church on Normanby Road. Local headteachers, after discussions with Redcar and Cleveland Council, decided a number of schools would finish early. South Bank Primary closed at midday, Outwood Academy Normanby at the same time, Archway Academy Teesville at 11:45, and St Margaret Clitherow’s Catholic Primary shortly after noon. Mackenzie Thorpe Centre shut for the entire day. Officials cited expected large crowds, severe traffic congestion, and concerns for the safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff.
The decision has sparked sharp criticism. Some politicians and members of the public accused school leaders of effectively yielding to the threat of disorder, pointing to a previous rowdy vigil for another of the crash victims that saw cars set alight. Critics argue that children should not lose classroom time because of anticipated disruptive behaviour linked to the funeral, and that those responsible for any intimidation or criminality must be held accountable.
Cleveland Police stated they had contingency plans in place to manage traffic and maintain public safety. A medical centre in the immediate area also adjusted its operations. Meanwhile, a fundraising appeal for the families of the two officers closed after raising more than £1.2 million, reflecting widespread public sympathy for the men who died in the line of duty.
The contrast is stark. While communities prepare for a funeral that has prompted schools to shut their doors early, the two police officers who were simply doing their job remain in the public consciousness as heroes whose families continue to grieve. Questions linger about the broader pattern of reckless driving, group disorder and the ability of local institutions to protect everyday life when large gatherings associated with such incidents occur.
As mourners gathered and traffic built around Normanby Road, the underlying issue remained unresolved: how a community recovers when the aftermath of a fatal crash continues to disrupt ordinary routines and leaves the demand for justice for two fallen officers unanswered.
