The family of Jacob Matusiak, one of five men killed in the A66 wrong-way crash near Middlesbrough, has demanded answers over the police pursuit that ended in seven deaths. His cousin told Sky News the family "want answers" and are asking police to provide the "full picture" of what happened.
Seven people died after a Volkswagen Passat crashed into a marked police vehicle in the early hours of Saturday. The car, which was being pursued by officers, was travelling on the wrong side of the dual carriageway when the collision occurred.
Victims and family statement
Teenagers Cole Robert Worthy, 17, and Theo Rae, 17, died alongside Makai Saddington, 18, and 23-year-olds Michael Robert Cahill and Jacob Matusiak. The impact also claimed the lives of Pc Matthew Blades, 37, and Pc Tom Clough, 38, who were inside an armed response vehicle, the Daily Star reports.
Speaking after the tragedy, Mr Matusiak's cousin said: "We are just devastated for everyone involved. If he was at fault, he was at fault, but they need to give us the full picture. He was no saint and has been involved in stuff before - we know that - but we cannot believe this has happened."
"We all want answers - we were told the chase should have been called off earlier. If it had been called off earlier lives might have been saved."
Chase details and tributes
The Passat carrying the five men was identified and an armed response unit gave chase for just under seven minutes before the vehicle entered the A66 in South Bank travelling against oncoming traffic. Officers abandoned the pursuit and maintained their course on the proper side of the road. The Passat collided with the vehicle driven by Pc Blades and Pc Clough approximately 10 seconds after the chase was terminated.
Authorities confirmed there was no indication that recording of the events on Friday night and Saturday morning was "for the purposes of TikTok".
Community tributes
Tributes for the five young men have flooded social media, with numerous friends expressing they "can't believe it" and were "heartbroken" and "lost for words". Balloon releases have been organised in their honour, with one taking place last night and further tributes scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at various locations including South Bank.
One tribute, honouring all five, read: "We all knew use and knew use had hearts of gold and most loyalist lads." A card accompanied by flowers placed near the A66, close to where the collision occurred, expressed: "To my Coley, I love you so much. I'm so grateful for the time we got to spend together."
"I just cannot believe I will never see you again. I hope wherever you are it is everything you have ever dreamed of. I will never ever forget you. You would of done anything for anyone."
