BBC Breakfast presenters Charlie Stayt and Sarah Campbell interrupted the programme on Saturday, August 22, to deliver breaking news of a fatal collision on the A66 in North Yorkshire.
Around 9.30am, Sarah Campbell told viewers: "Let's bring you some breaking news now. Multiple people have died in a crash on the A66 in North Yorkshire in the early hours of this morning."
Charlie Stayt continued: "Information coming in from Cleveland Police who have released a statement confirming there have been multiple fatalities as a result of a collision involving a police vehicle and a car."
Details of the collision
Sarah added that the incident happened at around 3.30am, with the vehicles colliding on the A66 in South Bank near Middlesbrough in Teesside. Emergency services remain at the scene, and police say they are working to identify the victims and contact their families.
Other headlines covered
Earlier in the programme, Sarah had run through the day's major headlines, including the tragic death of six-year-old Saja El-Khawas, who encountered difficulties while swimming off the coast of Shoreham in West Sussex.
Emergency crews pulled the young girl from the sea on Tuesday, August 18. Her father Hassan El-Khawas, 55, mother Zeina Alayn, 37, and 14-year-old sister Sara also lost their lives at the scene despite paramedics' efforts. The incident occurred at Kingston Beach, not far from Shoreham Port.
A police spokesperson stated: "The investigation into the incident remains open, but following review of CCTV footage and initial witness accounts, the current hypothesis is that this was a tragic accident, with no third-party involvement."
Chief Superintendent James Collis expressed his sorrow, saying: "This heartbreaking update is one we all feared in the aftermath of Tuesday's tragic events. The impact of this tragedy has been felt across the country, and I know the Shoreham community, emergency responders and all involved will continue to be affected for a long time to come. I would like to thank all of the public who have shared their sympathies and kind words."
Fatal sword attack in Sweden
The programme also reported a fatal sword attack at a Swedish high school. Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson addressed the incident on X, labelling it as a "serious incident," and stated, "We do not know what lies behind the act, but we know that police are working very intensively".
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden expressed his shock and sorrow, saying: "My thoughts are with those directly affected, as well as their families and loved ones." An 18-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the attack, in which two teenage boys were seriously injured and another individual sustained minor injuries.
