Inquests open into A66 crash police deaths
Inquests have opened into the deaths of seven people, including two police officers, killed in a wrong-way collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough. The victims died from head and neck injuries after a vehicle traveled against the flow of traffic.
Why it matters
The tragedy has prompted an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct to determine the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.
Image source, Cleveland Police Image caption, PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough were killed in the crash near Middlesbrough on Saturday
North East and Cumbria correspondent Published 27 August 2026, 11:25 BST Updated 8 hours ago Warning: This article contains details people may find upsetting
Seven people, including two police officers, killed in a car crash on the A66 had fatal head injuries, an inquest has provisionally concluded.
Cleveland Police officers PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, died on Saturday when their police vehicle was hit by a Volkswagen Passat which was going the wrong way down the dual carriageway near Middlesbrough.
Short inquest hearings at Teesside Coroner's Court heard the men died from head and neck injuries.
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