Teesside is still coming to terms with the horrific road traffic collision that took place on the A66 near Middlesbrough in the early hours of Saturday 22 August 2026. Seven people, including two police officers, were killed in the crash.
Police tribute
On Sunday, police officers laid floral tributes near the scene of the crash. But their colleagues were hard at work behind the scenes.
Twelve arrests
Monday 24 August began with a flurry of activity from Cleveland Police. Nine men and three women, aged between 19 and 61 were arrested on suspicion of several offences. These offences ranged from possession of a firearm to participating in the activities of an organised crime group. The force said in a statement it had received several reports of two vehicles being driven dangerously. The first vehicle, which is believed to be a Volvo XC60, was witnessed to be ramming properties in the Middlesbrough area. The second vehicle, the Volkswagen Passat involved in the crash that killed seven, is believed to have been associated with the activities of the Volvo XC60. The force said in a statement it had received several reports of two vehicles being driven dangerously. Both vehicles were operating with cloned number plates but were picked up by automated number plate recognition technology.
TikTok
However, Cleveland Police were keen to point out that, contrary to much media commentary, there is no evidence to indicate that filming of the activities that took place on Friday night and Saturday morning had taken place for the purposes of TikTok.
Peer group pressure
But there’s a lot of evidence that the people involved in illegal activities of this nature share them with their peer group. Helen Hoddinott reported for LBC that social media accounts linked to the five suspected joyriders suggests they engaged with a community of young men obsessed with taking risks in motor vehicles. The photo above shows a group posing in front of a Lamborghini Urus SUV. The balloons signify use of nitrous oxide, or ‘laughing gas’. North East Bylines is aware of the precise location of this photo, but has decided not to publish it, except to indicate that it is in the TS3 area of Middlesbrough.
A lost generation
TS3 is one of the most deprived areas of the UK. Several wards within the area are in the most deprived 1% nationally. Middlesbrough has one of the highest rates of young people Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET) in the country. These factors don’t justify or excuse criminality, but they help to explain the socioeconomic factors that allow it to thrive.
Book of condolence
On Monday morning, a book of condolence was opened at Redcar Civic Centre for anyone who wishes to leave a tribute to the two Cleveland Police officers who lost their lives. Members of the public can leave their tribute in the reception area of the Civic Centre, Ridley Street, Redcar, TS10 1TD. The opening hours are Monday to Friday from 9am to 4.30pm.
Floral tribute
In the evening, I paid a visit to a floral tribute which has been created at the entrance to South Tees Business Park in South Bank. This business park entrance is next to the Normanby Road Junction of the A66. The crash took place about a kilometre to the east of here, approaching the Church Lane Junction. On Sunday, Cleveland Police had laid their tributes at the Church Lane end, but requested that members of the public leave their flowers near Normanby Road, where it was safer.
A silent prayer
After visiting the floral tribute, I continued along Normanby Road to St John the Evangelist Church. On an almost perfect late summer evening, I attended a Silent Prayer Vigil at the church. This took place between 4:00pm and 8:00pm.
Those who wished to could light a candle inside the church.
In the midst of life we are in death
At 7:00pm, Fr. Malcolm Lockey SSC – the Parish Priest of South Bank – said prayers for those who lost their lives, and for their families, friends and colleagues and all who are struggling with the great sense of loss and grief at this time. St John’s is a quiet, understated church; a good place for reflection. There’s some beautiful stained glass.
Balloon release
At 5:00pm, while the silent vigil was being held in St John’s Church, a group of people gathered on nearby Steele Crescent to stage a balloon release to commemorate Jacob Matusiak, one of the occupants of the illegally driven VW Passat involved in the crash. The release was accompanied by car horns, fireworks and flares.
On 22 March 2026, Matusiak was criminally convicted of using a vehicle without insurance, and driving without a licence. The balloon release is pictured below. St John’s Church can be seen in the background of the photo.
Remembering the police
PC Tom Clough
Tom Clough served with the British Army in Iraq, before joining the Civil Nuclear Constabulary. Chief Constable Simon Chesterman, and Chief Superintendent Richard Clark, paid tribute to Tom, who worked at Sellafield Operational Policing Unit in Cumbria. Simon noted Tom’s great sense of humour. His wit ‘lifted spirits during most demanding shifts.’
PC Matty Blades
Carmel School in Darlington paid tribute to Matty, who taught at the school before joining Cleveland Police. Matty Blades was also remembered by Seaton Carew FC, where he coached. He was due to start coaching his son in the Under-7 Seahawks team this season.
Fundraiser
The GoFundMe for Matty Blades and Tom Clough is still live. Over £800,000 had been raised at the last count. You can donate via this link.
Thanks to James Waterson for providing additional research for this article.
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