An initial investigation into the A66 crash has found no evidence that police used tactical contact or deployed a stinger before the fatal collision, the police watchdog said today.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the incident in South Bank, near Middlesbrough, which claimed the lives of two police officers and five young men.
PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, were killed when a Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong way along the dual carriageway crashed into their marked police vehicle.
The five occupants of the Passat — Jakub Matusiak, 23; Cole Worthy, 17; Theo Rae, 17; Makai Saddington, 18; and Michael Cahill, 23 — were also pronounced dead at the scene.
The IOPC said this afternoon that its investigation had established the pursuit involving Cleveland Police officers began at 3.33am on Saturday, August 22.
Police in-car footage showed that, six minutes later at 3.39am, the Passat slowed as it approached the A66 junction and braked heavily.
The driver then turned right and entered the A66 on the wrong side of the carriageway. The pursuing police vehicle did not follow onto the opposite carriageway.
Police officers at the scene of the A66 crash in South Bank, near Middlesbrough, on August 22
PC Matthew Blades, a father of two, was killed when his police vehicle was struck head-on
PC Tom Clough also died in the crash, 10 seconds after the police pursuit had been called off
The police vehicle’s blue lights were switched off as its driver continued along the correct carriageway.
About 17 seconds later, the Passat collided with another police vehicle travelling on the correct side of the road.
The IOPC said the evidence available so far indicated that police had not initiated tactical contact when the collision occurred and had not used a stinger — a portable spike strip deployed to puncture a vehicle’s tyres — during the pursuit.
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The watchdog added that a forensic collision investigator was examining investigative methods to determine the speeds of both vehicles at the time of the crash.
IOPC director of engagement Emily Barry said: “I wish to again extend my sympathies to the family and friends of everyone involved, and to all those affected by the loss of life.
“We continue to recognise the devastating and long-lasting impact this incident has had on the families, those serving in the force, the wider policing community and local residents.
“As our investigation progresses, I want to reassure everyone that we remain focused on establishing precisely what happened in the moments leading up to this tragic incident.”
Theo Rae and Cole Worthy, pictured right, both aged 17, were among those killed in the A66 crash
Makai Saddington, left, 18, and Michael Cahill, right, 23, also died in the A66 collision
Jakub Matusiak, 23, also died in the A66 crash in South Bank, Middlesbrough, on August 22
‘It’s vital that a thorough independent investigation is carried out to establish the full circumstances. The officers involved at this stage are being treated as witnesses.
‘We are aware there is speculation regarding how the collision occurred. There is no suggestion the collision was a result of any direct police contact, nor was a stinger used by the police in an attempt to stop the Passat.
‘It’s important to acknowledge that due to the vast amount of information to be reviewed, analysed and verified, along with the expert reports that have been commissioned to support our investigation, we anticipate it will take months, rather than weeks, to conclude our investigation.
‘We have ensured that all families have been made aware of our involvement and they will be provided with regular updates throughout.’
The IOPC said it had commissioned two expert reports, with one considering the collision reconstruction and another assessing the policies in place for officers during pursuits.
