The funeral of PC Matthew Blades is set to take place later this month, following the tragic collision on the A66 at South Bank that claimed the lives of the 37-year-old officer and his colleague, PC Tom Clough.
Blades and Clough, both 38, were patrolling in a marked armed response vehicle on August 22 when a Volkswagen Passat, driven by a suspect involved in earlier alleged criminal activity, entered the dual carriageway heading the wrong way. The crash also killed five other young men: Cole Worthy and Theo Rae, both 17; Makai Saddington, 18; and Michael Cahill and Jakub Matusiak, both 23.
According to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), officers had been pursuing the Passat for nearly seven minutes before the pursuit was called off just 10 seconds prior to the fatal impact. The Armed Response Unit officers were not part of the active chase but were searching for the vehicle after cloned number plates triggered an automated camera alert.
Road closures will be enforced in Hartlepool from 07:30 BST to facilitate the full police ceremonial funeral. Hutton Avenue, St Paul’s Road, and South Road will be closed, with any vehicles remaining parked after the deadline subject to removal.
Lauren Somerville, chair of the Cleveland Police Federation, spoke on behalf of Blades’ family, describing the profound loss felt by the community. “Life feels unbearably quiet” without the father-of-two, whose “silly jokes” and laughter had brightened every room, she said.
Somerville highlighted the overwhelming support received from across the globe, with tributes arriving from Australia, France, and the United States. She noted that even small gestures of respect from the public have provided immense strength to officers during this difficult time.
Before joining Cleveland Police, PC Blades was an English teacher at Carmel College in Darlington. The school remembered him as an intelligent, kind, and approachable educator who dedicated himself generously to his students.
Flowers have been delivered to force stations in honor of both fallen officers. Somerville emphasized that the loss is deeply personal for the relatively small Cleveland force and that colleagues nationwide share in their grief. She stated that officers would stand side-by-side in uniform at the funeral, filled with pride and dignity to ensure a fitting tribute.
Rest in peace, PC Blades. Your silly jokes will be remembered fondly by all who knew you.
Is it true they weren’t even part of the active chase? Feels unjust that they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Such a kind man from what I read. He will be deeply missed by his students and colleagues alike.
The detail about the pursuit ending ten seconds before the crash is chilling. So close to being avoidable.
Absolutely heartbreaking. Two officers and five innocent lives lost in one terrible moment.