Social media firms have been told by the Government to remove dangerous driving clips immediately after two police officers were killed when a car going the wrong way along a dual carriageway crashed into their vehicle.
Fatal crash on the A66
Pc Matthew Blades, 37, died alongside Pc Tom Clough, 38, when a Volkswagen Passat that had been pursued by police hit their marked armed response vehicle seconds after the chase was terminated.
Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and 23-year-olds Michael Robert Cahill and Jacob Matusiak were also pronounced dead at the scene on the A66 near Middlesbrough, Teesside early on Saturday.
Government warning to social media companies
The crash comes after five teenagers died in Ireland when the BMW they were in drove the wrong way down the M9 motorway and collided with a vehicle carrying a family to Dublin airport for a wedding in the UK.
Both crashes have been linked to a wave of clips on social media encouraging dangerous driving, including going the wrong way down busy roads.
Defence minister Luke Pollard, on the media round for the Government, told social media companies to “take down” the clips now, or the Government would take action to ensure they were removed.
He told BBC Breakfast: “Those social media companies know exactly what they're doing.
“They know where their business model is and how they make money, and they make money by keeping our eyeballs glued to their screens, keeping content that people watch and share.
“This type of dangerous content should have no place on social media because it encourages other people to do the same.”
Police pursuit details
Cleveland Police had 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, investigating watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct said.
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.
The Passat they were travelling in was spotted and an armed response vehicle pursued for just under seven minutes before the car drove on to the A66 in South Bank against the flow of traffic.
Police aborted the chase and continued to travel on the correct side of the carriageway.
The Passat crashed into Pc Blades and Pc Clough’s vehicle around 10 seconds after it ceased.
Tributes and fundraising
Family members described former Civil Nuclear Constabulary officer Pc Clough as “our hero” who was “always on public duty”.
The wife of father-of-two Pc Blades called him “our superhero”, and said: “He gave his life in the line of duty, protecting and serving others with courage, dedication and selflessness.”
Donations poured into a fundraiser for their families, surpassing £200,000 about six hours after the link was first shared on social media by organisers at the Cleveland Police Federation.
A second crowdfunder for their families had raised more than £26,400 on Sunday night.
Tributes for the five young men were also shared on social media, with many of their friends saying they “can’t believe it” and were “heartbroken” and “lost for words”.
Balloon releases have been announced in their memory, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, at different locations including in South Bank.
One message, dedicated to all five, said: “We all knew use and knew use had hearts of gold and most loyalist lads.”
In a statement issued by Cleveland Police, Pc Blades’ wife called him “my beloved husband, my best friend, and the most devoted father to our two young boys”.
He had recently joined Seaton Carew FC as a coach and was looking forward to teaching his son in its under-sevens Seahawks squad, the club said.
The officer also coached his eldest son and other youngsters in the under-10s Reds team at FC Hartlepool, which called him “a role model, a mentor, a friend, and someone the children looked up to and admired”.
It added: “He was able to share his love of football with his son while inspiring and supporting every child on the team.”
His wife said he was “an adored son and brother, a perfect son-in-law, and the most fun uncle.
“He was loved beyond words by all his family and friends, and his loss has left a space that can never be filled.
“He gave his life in the line of duty, protecting and serving others with courage, dedication and selflessness.
“Our children will grow up knowing what an incredible father he was and will always be, and I will carry his love, his memory and everything we shared with me always.”
She added: “Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever our superhero. Our Matt and Dad.”
Earlier on Sunday, Pc Clough’s family said: “He was our hero with a fantastic sense of humour. Jumped into action whenever needed, and willing to help anyone for any reason.
“Proudly fought for his country to make the world a better place. Always on public duty throughout his short life.”
It continued: “We as a family and Tom’s partner would like to express our sincere gratitude for the overwhelming support and condolences from friends, colleagues and the wider community.”
