The mother of Michael Cahill, one of five men killed in a crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough, has urged his friends to bring "bikes, jeeps, cars and quads" to give him "the send-off he deserves" at a balloon release this evening (August 27).
Cahill, 23, was one of five men who died after being in a VW Passat that was evading police. The car crashed into a marked police car while travelling the wrong way. Cole Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, Jacob Matusiak, 23, and Cahill were in the Passat and were pronounced dead at the scene at South Bank on Saturday (August 22). Pc Matthew Blades, 37, and Pc Tom Clough, 38, were the two police officers killed in the crash.
Vigils and balloon releases
Following the deaths, vigils and balloon releases have been held, with masked youths seen setting off flares. The latest event, held last night (August 26), saw around a hundred people pay respects to the three teenagers, Makai Saddington, Theo Rae, and Cole Worthy. The first tribute event was held on Monday for Jakub Matusiak, which saw similar scenes with flares set off.
This evening, more people are expected to gather in a field in Peterlee, Co Durham, after Cahill's mum urged friends to bring vehicles for the send-off. The message about the balloon release was posted by his mum on social media and was reportedly a "change of plans" while confirming new details.
Inquests to open
A Teesside Coroner, sitting at Teesside Magistrates' Court, will open inquests into the deaths of Pc Blades and Pc Clough in the morning. In the afternoon, inquests will open into the deaths of the five men killed in the crash.
The Passat had been pursued by police following an earlier incident in which a house in the Acklam area of Middlesbrough, linked to Worthy, was rammed by a vehicle. The pursuit was aborted when the Passat went the wrong way down the A66.
Police statement and fundraiser
Police have previously said the five young men in the Passat may have had links to "serious and organised criminal activity" and four of them have previous convictions. Pc Blades and Pc Clough were not involved in the original pursuit but had been called to the area to assist with the search for the Passat.
An online appeal to raise money for the officers' families passed £1 million on Wednesday.
