Seven people, including two serving Cleveland Police officers, have died following a crash on the A66 in South Bank, Teesside, at 3.39am on Saturday. The two-vehicle collision involved a Volkswagen Passat and a police vehicle.
Police say the Passat was travelling the wrong way along the A66 and collided with a police vehicle that was travelling on the same road in the right direction. All occupants of both vehicles were pronounced dead at the scene.
This includes two serving Cleveland Police officers who were in the marked police vehicle and five members of the public who were travelling in the Passat. The families of those identified have been informed and are being offered specialist support.
Chief Constable's statement
Chief Constable Victoria Fuller said: “First and foremost, our thoughts are with the families of everyone involved in today’s incident. No one should leave their home and not return safely, including police officers serving their communities and protecting the people of Cleveland.
“This tragic incident will be felt across Cleveland, within our communities and throughout the entire policing family. We are providing specialist support to all families involved at this extremely difficult time.
“The investigation has been referred to the IOPC, which is the standard approach when a death occurs following police contact. We will cooperate fully with their investigation. While this investigation takes place, we strongly urge people to avoid speculation."
IOPC referral and federation response
A referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), as is mandatory in these circumstances. Cleveland Police says they are still working to formally identify all occupants of the Volkswagen Passat.
The Cleveland Police Federation has also released a statement, saying: "All at Cleveland Police Federation are completely devastated at the on-duty death of two colleagues in the early hours of this morning. All of our thoughts are with their families, friends and close colleagues at this time. Details of the incident on the A66 and the nature of it are still emerging."
Lauren Somerville, Chair of Cleveland Police Federation, added: "Words cannot describe the pain the Cleveland Police Family are feeling today. 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."
Cleveland Police Federation will be offering full support to our fallen colleagues families and they have all of our love and care at this time. When the time is right we will pay full tribute to our brave colleagues. But we can assure that their sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Road closure and investigation
The A66 has been closed for several hours in both directions between Normanby Road and Church Lane in Eston. Emergency services and investigators remain at the scene.
Earlier today, the IOPC released a statement and said it was investigating the circumstances of the crash. It said that, at this early stage, it was understood Cleveland Police saw a suspicious vehicle and a pursuit began. The car travelled onto the A66 in South Bank and collided with a police car at 3.39am, resulting in the deaths of multiple people.
