Environmentalists have branded balloon releases planned for five of the seven people killed in the A66 crash a "kick in the teeth" to grieving police families. Balloon tributes have been arranged for the five young men who died after the Volkswagen Passat they were travelling in smashed into a marked armed response vehicle, killing Pc Matthew Blades, 37, and Pc Tom Clough, 38.
The Passat — which had been pursued by police — was being driven the wrong way along a dual carriageway when it hit the police vehicle near Middlesbrough in the early hours of Saturday. The Stop Balloon Releases - North East UK campaign group has urged Middlesbrough Council to stop the tributes over wildlife concerns.
Campaign group urges council action
Co-founder Lynne, who did not want to give her surname, added it would also be a "kick in the teeth" to the families of Pc Blades and Pc Clough. The group, set up around six years ago, urged its supporters to "bombard" Middlesbrough Council over the plans. A number of objections have been raised, it is understood.
Campaigner Lynne, in her 60s, said balloons can "harm" wildlife and also cause disruption to train lines. "To have as many going off at the same time, it's not great," she said, instead encouraging mourners to commemorate in other ways such as blowing bubbles.
Wildlife risks and police investigation
Animals can die by ingesting balloons as they can block digestive and respiratory tracts, according to the RSPCA. Any death is likely to be slow, the animal charity added.
Balloon releases in the memory of those in the car are due to take place in various locations across Middlesbrough, including near where the collision occurred, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
It comes as Cleveland Police said the five men travelling in the Passat may have had links to "serious and organised criminal activity". On Monday, the force said 12 other people — nine men and three women, aged between 19 and 61 — have been arrested over alleged criminality leading up to the collision in Teesside. Four were arrested on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group and four on suspicion of possessing a firearm.
Victims and aftermath
Four of the five young men in the Passat had previous criminal convictions, and were believed to be associated with another car which was seen ramming properties earlier that morning. The five travelling in the Passat — Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and 23-year-olds Michael Robert Cahill and Jacob Matusiak — were pronounced dead at the scene at South Bank.
Police said there was "no evidence" that filming of the activities in the lead-up to the crash on the A66 had taken place "for the purposes of TikTok" despite speculation. The Government has urged social media companies to take down posts "celebrating" dangerous driving following a viral trend showing people going the wrong way down roads. TikTok said its policies strictly prohibit content that could cause significant physical harm, including dangerous driving, and that it is actively removing any videos and accounts that break its rules.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) watchdog, which has been investigating the crash, said Cleveland Police launched the chase after receiving intelligence relating to "numerous incidents" linked to a Passat, which activated an ANPR camera and is believed to have been using cloned plates. 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. Police aborted the chase as the Passat drove on to the A66 against the flow of traffic. Around 10 seconds later, it crashed into Pc Blades and Pc Clough's vehicle.
The officers' families hailed them as "heroes" and more than £500,000 has been raised for their loved ones by two fundraisers. Middlesbrough Council was contacted for comment.
