# A66 collision near Middlesbrough > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/a66-collision-near-middlesbrough > Updated: 2026-08-24T01:09:05.000Z. Sources: 120. Developments: 2. On August 22, a head-on collision occurred on the A66 near Middlesbrough in northeast England at approximately 3:39 am. The crash involved a Volkswagen Passat traveling the wrong way on a dual carriageway, which struck a marked Cleveland Police armed response vehicle. The incident resulted in seven fatalities: two police officers, PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, and five young occupants of the Passat: Michael Robert Cahill, 23; Theo Rae, 17; Cole Robert Worthy, 17; Jacob Matusiak, 23; and Makai Saddington, 18. Preliminary reports indicate the collision followed a police pursuit of the Passat, which had been underway for less than seven minutes. While the active pursuit had been abandoned approximately ten seconds before the impact, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched a mandatory investigation into the circumstances of the pursuit and the crash. Cleveland Police have arrested 12 people, including nine men and three women aged 19 to 61, in connection with criminal activities leading up to the collision. Suspicions include involvement in an organized crime group and firearm possession. Authorities noted the Passat was suspected of using cloned plates to evade detection. Public attention has focused on social media following reports that Makai Saddington had shared TikTok videos appearing to show involvement in previous police pursuits and high-speed driving. In response, the UK government has urged social media platforms to remove videos that celebrate dangerous driving. Tributes have been paid to the fallen officers, with Chief Constable Victoria Fuller describing them as “brave officers protecting our communities.” ## Claims - Seven people died in the collision, including two police officers and five young men. (corroborated by 17 sources) - Twelve people have been arrested in connection with activities leading up to the crash. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The Volkswagen Passat involved in the crash was suspected of using cloned number plates. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Arrests include suspects for participating in an organised crime group and possession of a firearm. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The crash has significant links to serious and organised criminal activity. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Defence Minister Luke Pollard urged social media platforms to remove videos celebrating dangerous driving. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The IOPC has opened an independent investigation into the circumstances of the crash. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Makai Saddington was awaiting trial for allegedly assaulting a police officer and causing racially aggravated distress. (corroborated by 4 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-24: A66 crash kills seven people, including two police officers Seven people, including two police officers and five young men, were killed in a wrong-way crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough. Twelve arrests have been made in connection with organized crime and firearm theft 24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/middlesbrough-a66-crash-kills-two-officers-and-five-youths ### 2026-08-22: A66 collision near Middlesbrough kills seven, including two police officers Seven people, including two Cleveland Police officers, died in a head-on collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough after a Volkswagen Passat traveling the wrong way struck a police vehicle. 103 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/multiple-fatalities-in-a66-crash-involving-police-vehicle --- Cite as: A66 collision near Middlesbrough. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/a66-collision-near-middlesbrough