Seven people, including two police officers, have died in a crash in northeast England in the early hours of Saturday.
A Volkswagen Passat was travelling the wrong way down the A66 near Middlesbrough and collided with a police vehicle on the same road going in the right direction, Cleveland Police said.
Two serving police officers in the marked vehicle and five members of the public travelling in the Passat were pronounced dead at the scene after the crash at 3.39am on Saturday. The officers were named as constables Matthew Blades (37) and Tom Clough (38).
Police have also formally identified all occupants of the Volkswagen and have told their families and offered them specialist support.
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The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) opened an investigation into the circumstances leading to the crash in South Bank after a mandatory referral from the force.
Officers from Cleveland Police spotted a suspicious vehicle and a pursuit began before the car travelled on to the A66 and collided with a police car, the watchdog said.
The A66 was closed in both directions between Normanby Road and Church Lane in Eston.
Police officers manned both ends of the cordon and the crash site was not visible from the road closures.
A large white tent was erected over the scene, with multiple emergency service vehicles around.
Police have put into effect a drone exclusion zone around the scene of the collision.
Cleveland chief constable Victoria Fuller said officers Matthew Blades and Tom Clough died in the crash on the A66.
Reading a statement outside the force’s headquarters in Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon, she said: “At 3.39am this morning, a Volkswagen Passat that was travelling the wrong way down the A66 has collided with a marked Cleveland Police armed response vehicle, which was travelling on the correct side of the road.
“Tragically, two police officers, PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, died at the scene, along with the five occupants of the Passat, as a result of the collision.”
Fuller also said the members of the public inside the Volkswagen have been formally identified.
“Formal identification has now taken place for the occupants of the Volkswagen Passat and specialist family liaison officers are being deployed to support the bereaved families, we also have support in place for our officers and staff who have been affected by today’s tragic events,” she said.
“As is mandatory following any death connected to a police incident, we have referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct and are fully co-operating with their investigation.
“Whilst this investigation is ongoing, and out of respect for all those who have lost loved ones, I would strongly urge people to avoid speculation and respect the privacy of the families.”
British prime minister Andy Burnham said he was “devastated” to hear about the crash.
“Devastated to hear that two police officers have lost their lives while on duty in Cleveland this morning, as well as five members of the public,” he posed on X.
“My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of everyone involved, and with everyone at Cleveland Police.
“Thank you to the emergency services responding in incredibly difficult circumstances. I would urge people to avoid speculation at this time.”
UK home secretary Shabana Mahmood said the crash was “devastating”, adding her thoughts were with all those affected.
Anna Turley, Labour MP for the Redcar constituency where the crash happened, said the A66 would remain closed in both directions between Normanby Road and Church Lane, and urged the public to avoid the area and use alternative routes.
She said: “Cleveland Police have confirmed that seven people have sadly lost their lives.
“Their families and loved ones are now facing an unimaginable loss that will be felt forever.
“Two of the seven people who have lost their lives were Cleveland Police officers, on duty serving our community.
“They went to work to keep people safe and they should have come home to their families.
“Their loss will be felt deeply by their loved ones, fellow officers and right across the communities they served.
“Cleveland Police are investigating the accident, alongside the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
“It is crucial that we respect that process and avoid speculation at this deeply painful time.
“I cannot begin to imagine how difficult this has been for the emergency services responding to such a devastating incident.” – Press Association
