Seven people died in a crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough on Saturday, an incident reportedly sparked by a feud between rival gangs after a property was "ram-raided". Five more arrests were made yesterday, bringing the total to 17 people arrested in connection with the tragedy.
Arrests and victims
A 16-year-old boy and two men, aged 18 and 21, were taken into custody on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group. A 55-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, and a 23-year-old man on suspicion of making threats to kill, Cleveland Police said.
The crash claimed the lives of PC Tom Clough, 38, and 37-year-old PC Matthew Blades. Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Jacob Matusiak, 23, Makai Saddington, 18, Theo Rae, and Cole Robert Worthy, both 17, also died. The incident occurred when a Volkswagen Passat, travelling the wrong way along the A66 at South Bank, hit a Cleveland Police armed response vehicle at around 3.39am on Saturday.
Ram-raid and chase
The home of Cole Worthy's father was reportedly ram-raided at around 3am on Saturday, just 40 minutes before the crash. It is alleged that a Volvo XC60 was used, and that vehicle is now central to the police investigation. A house belonging to Cole's father Gye was reportedly reversed into twice, causing extensive damage, neighbours claimed. Within minutes, a VW Passat containing Cole and the four other individuals was said to be seen racing around Middlesbrough, pursuing the Volvo.
There is no suggestion that Gye Worthy, a 39-year-old company director, was involved in any criminal activity. The attack on his home appears to be a flashpoint for the chase between rival gangs. One neighbour said Gye had lived at the address for around a decade and lived a "normal life". Another said they heard a "loud bang" and looked out to check for damage.
Investigation and court appearances
Cleveland Police said both the Volvo and Passat were part of their enquiries in the early hours of August 22. The force declined to comment on whether rival gangs were involved. Mr Worthy's home was rammed at around 3am. By 3.36am, the VW Passat was caught on CCTV racing at between 80 and 100mph down Lime Road in Teesville, pursued by three police vehicles. At 3.39am, it turned the wrong way onto the A66 dual carriageway, at which point the pursuing police vehicles stopped. It was just 10 seconds later when it smashed head-on into the armed response car.
Cleveland Police said two of the 12 people previously arrested have now appeared in court. Kai Beattie, 19, of Foxrush Court, Redcar, appeared at Teesside Magistrates' Court charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Cameron George, 26, of Micklow Close, Redcar, was remanded in custody to appear at Teesside Crown Court on September 21 charged with drugs offences and possession of criminal property.
A spokesman for Cleveland Police said: "On the morning of Saturday 22 August, Cleveland Police received several reports of two vehicles being driven dangerously. The first vehicle, believed to be a Volvo XC60, was witnessed ramming properties in the Middlesbrough area. The second vehicle, a Volkswagen Passat, is believed to have been associated with the activities of the Volvo XC60."
Public reaction and tributes
Youths wearing balaclavas set off flares and fireworks in a noisy tribute to the five people who died in the Passat. Friends of Jakub Matusiak, 23, gathered at a field in South Bank, close to the scene of the collision. Around 20 masked individuals on motorbikes and quadbikes roared around the field in honour of Jacob Matusiak, who had convictions for motoring offences. The scenes sparked fury on social media. One commentator wrote: "I get it that their families and friends will be devastated and grieving, but surely in circumstances where they have killed two innocent men who were simply out doing their jobs, you grieve in private?"
Writing on Facebook, a woman accused the mourners of showing "disrespect of the highest level for the two murdered policemen" and said a quiet vigil would have been more appropriate. Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Paul Williams, acting deputy chairman of the Police Federation for England and Wales, said: "Every day we can identify now numerous examples of young people sensationalising dangerous driving. Not just dangerous driving, but baiting police officers who are out there to protect the public."
Lauren Sommerville, chairwoman of Cleveland Police Federation, says she "cannot describe the grief" officers feel after the loss of a colleague. She said: "It's so hard to describe how this grief feels and how it will feel. Policing is so unique, so unique. We are injected into the darkest moments in people's lives, whether that be arresting somebody or you know, saving a life."
