Seaton Carew FC has paid tribute to PC Matthew Blades, one of the Cleveland Police officers who died following a collision on the A66 in South Bank on Saturday morning. PC Blades, known as Matty, was one of the club's coaches.
PC Blades and his colleague PC Tom Clough were among seven people who lost their lives in the crash. They died when a Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong way down the dual carriageway near Middlesbrough collided with the officers' marked armed response vehicle, which was going in the right direction. The five people travelling in the Volkswagen have not been officially named yet.
Club's tribute to Matty
In a Facebook post "in memory of Matty Blades", Seaton Carew FC said: "It is with the heaviest of hearts that Seaton Carew FC shares the devastating news of the passing of one of our coaches, Matty, who tragically lost his life in a fatal accident while carrying out his duties as a police officer."
"Matty had only recently joined our club as a coach and was preparing for his first season with our brand-new U7 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 added: "Matty and his oldest son are much-loved members of our club and our U10 Lions football family. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Matty’s wife, his two boys, and all of his family and friends at this incredibly difficult and heartbreaking time."
Community shock and investigation
The incident has left the community in shock, with scores of people paying tribute to those who were killed. A number of floral tributes and balloons have been left at the scene of the crash.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has opened an investigation into the circumstances leading to the crash following a mandatory referral from Cleveland Police. A suspicious vehicle had earlier been spotted by Cleveland Police officers, triggering a pursuit before the car entered the A66 and collided with PC Blades and PC Clough’s police car, the IOPC said. It is understood the police vehicle the officers were travelling in was not part of the pursuit.
All club flags at Seaton Carew FC are flying at half mast as a sign of respect. The club's message concluded: "From everyone at Seaton Carew FC, thank you Matty for choosing to become part of our club. You will always be remembered as one of our own. Rest peacefully Matty. Forever a part of the Seaton Carew FC family."
