The wife of PC Matthew Blades has spoken out after he was killed alongside fellow officer PC Tom Clough in a wrong-way crash on a British motorway.
PC Blades, 37, and PC Clough, 38, died early on Saturday, August 22, when a Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong way down the A66 struck their marked armed response vehicle in South Bank, near Middlesbrough. The collision also killed all five young men inside the Passat. Blades’s wife issued a tribute through Cleveland Police on Sunday, calling him her “beloved husband” as families on all sides of the tragedy began sharing their grief publicly.
PC Clough’s family released their own statement through the force on Sunday, writing: “He was our hero with a fantastic of humour. Jumped into action whenever needed, and willing to help anyone for any reason.” The family continued, “Proudly fought for his country to make the world a better place. Always on public duty throughout his short life,” They added that they and Clough’s partner wanted to “express our sincere gratitude for the overwhelming support and condolences from friends, colleagues and the wider community.”
Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller addressed the loss on Saturday afternoon. “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,” Fuller said.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct has opened an investigation into the circumstances before the crash, which began when other officers spotted a suspicious vehicle and started a pursuit. The watchdog noted that the police vehicle carrying PC Blades and PC Clough was not part of that chase. Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey urged the public to avoid online speculation while the probe continues. Storey said: “The IOPC will do their work, the force will do their work, and that will give an official view of what’s happened. Social media can be quite dangerous when rumours get spread around, and we need to make sure that the information is correct.” He described the force as a “really tight-knit family” and noted the incident “will have a big impact on them.”
PC Blades had recently taken on a new role coaching children at Seaton Carew FC, where his own son was set to play. The club posted on social media: “He was looking forward to being part of the team and, most importantly, to coaching his own son, who is going to be playing for the Seahawks this season.” The club continued, “Matty and his oldest son are much-loved members of our club and our U10 Lions football family,” They added, “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Matty’s wife, his two boys, and all of his family and friends at this incredibly difficult and heartbreaking time.” The club said all flags were flying at half mast.
A GoFundMe was launched to support both officers’ families, with organisers saying the money would “assist them in any way as they try to navigate this traumatic time.”
Cleveland Police Federation chairwoman Lauren Somerville spoke earlier about the force’s grief. “Words cannot describe the pain the Cleveland Police family are feeling today,” Somerville said. “Our colleagues who should have been going home to their loved ones at the end of their shifts are not. And that is just unfathomable.”
On Sunday afternoon, the force formally identified the five victims in the Passat as Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Cole Robert Worthy, 16, Jacob Matusiak, 23, and Makai Saddington, 18. Family Liaison Officers are continuing to work with all the families affected.
In the viral moment that preceded the tragedy, ring doorbell footage appeared to show police cars following the Passat minutes before the fatal collision. The IOPC investigation will examine the decisions made during the pursuit and how the Volkswagen came to be travelling the wrong way down the dual carriageway before the head-on impact that claimed seven lives.
The IOPC investigation into the circumstances leading up to the crash is ongoing.