Shock New Twist in Dea@dly A66 Crash: Key Witness Finally Breaks Silence Nearly a Month After Two Hero Cops Were Kil@led – What Did His Dashcam Really Capture?
Nearly a month after a catastrophic head-on collision on the A66 dual carriageway claimed the lives of two Cleveland Police officers and five young men, the investigation continues to examine every available piece of evidence surrounding the events of the early hours of 22 August 2026.
PC Matthew Blades, 37, a married father of two and former English teacher known for his dedication to coaching local football, and PC Tom Clough, 38, an Iraq War veteran and former Civil Nuclear Constabulary officer, were travelling in a marked armed response vehicle on the correct side of the road near South Bank, Middlesbrough. Their vehicle was struck by a Volkswagen Passat that had entered the dual carriageway against the flow of traffic.
According to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), officers had been pursuing the Passat for just under seven minutes after it was linked to earlier reports of dangerous driving and suspected cloned number plates that triggered an automatic number plate recognition camera. The pursuit was aborted approximately ten seconds before the collision when the Passat turned onto the A66 in the wrong direction. The officers killed were not part of the active pursuit but had been deployed to the area to assist in locating the vehicle.
All seven people involved were pronounced dead at the scene. Provisional findings at the opening of inquests at Teesside Coroner’s Court indicated that both officers died from head and neck injuries. Separate inquests were opened for the five occupants of the Passat: Michael Robert Cahill, 23; Jakub Matusiak, 23; Makai Saddington, 18; Theo Rae, 17; and Cole Robert Worthy, 17.
The tragedy has prompted an extensive police investigation into links with organised crime activity in the Teesside area. Multiple arrests have been made on suspicion of offences including participation in an organised crime group and possession of weapons. A public fundraising appeal set up by the Cleveland Police Federation ultimately raised more than £1.2 million for the officers’ families before closing.
Investigators have already obtained accounts from officers involved, the incident log, and in-car footage from police vehicles. Security camera footage from a residential street captured parts of the earlier pursuit minutes before the crash. The full picture of the final moments continues to be pieced together through forensic analysis, vehicle examination, and any additional civilian evidence that may come forward.
The deaths have left a profound impact on the local community and the wider policing family. Tributes have described Blades as a devoted father and Clough as a hero who served both his country and his community. Their families have spoken of deep personal loss while emphasising the officers’ commitment to public service.
As the IOPC investigation and related criminal inquiries proceed, any new material—whether from official sources or members of the public—will be carefully assessed to establish a complete and accurate account of how the collision occurred. The focus remains on understanding the sequence of events that led to the loss of seven lives on that stretch of the A66 and supporting those left behind.
The case underscores the inherent dangers faced by officers responding to high-risk situations involving vehicles and the lasting consequences for families and colleagues when such incidents end in tragedy.
