The family of PC Tom Clough, one of the officers killed in the crash on the A66 in the early hours of Saturday, August 22, has paid tribute to him. A Volkswagen Passat was travelling the wrong way down the A66 near Middlesbrough and crashed with a police vehicle on the same road going in the right direction, Cleveland Police said.
Officers and five young men killed
PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, who were 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. Five males aged between 17 and 23-years-old were also killed. They have been named as Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and 23-year-olds Michael Robert Cahill and Jacob Matusiak.
Family tribute to PC Clough
PC Clough's family said: "He was our hero with a fantastic of humour. Jumped into action whenever needed, and willing to help anyone for any reason. Proudly fought for his country to make the world a better place. Always on public duty throughout his short life."
"We as a family and Tom's partner would like to express our sincere gratitude for the overwhelming support and condolences from friends, colleagues and the wider community."
Tributes to both officers
A man who knew PC Clough called him a "true friend, fantastic soldier and I have no doubt even better police officer", in a tribute on social media. "Taken far too soon words fail me right now. Until we meet again sleep tight my mate," he added.
Husband and father-of-two PC Blades coached his eldest son in football and was looking forward to teaching his youngest for another squad. He had recently become a Seaton Carew FC coach and was preparing for his first turn teaching its under-sevens Seahawks team.
"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 said on social media. "Matty and his oldest son are much-loved members of our club and our U10 Lions football family."
Meanwhile, FC Hartlepool described PC Blades as a "much-loved member of our football family". The club said: "As coach of our U10 Reds, a team that was made even more special by having his eldest son playing alongside the boys, Matty was so much more than a coach."
"He was a role model, a mentor, a friend, and someone the children looked up to and admired. He was able to share his love of football with his son while inspiring and supporting every child on the team."
Community mourning
Tributes and messages of support for the families of the five young men have poured in on social media, with many of their friends saying they "can't believe it" and were "heartbroken" and "lost for words". Balloon releases have been announced in their memory, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, at different locations including in South Bank.
