Manchester Evening News
·23 Aug 2026
Wife of police officer killed in A66 crash pays tribute to ‘superhero’ and devoted father
The wife of PC Matthew Blades, one of two Cleveland Police officers killed in a crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough, paid tribute to him as a beloved husband, devoted father and hero who died protecting others. PC Tom Clough’s family also described him as their hero. The officers’ marked armed response vehicle was struck by a Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong way after a police pursuit had been aborted; five occupants of the Passat also died. The Independent Office for Police Conduct said the officers were not involved in the original pursuit, and investigations are continuing. Fundraisers for the officers’ families had raised more than £104,500 combined.