Pol Allingham

Police officers PC Tom Clough, 38, and PC Matthew Blades, 37, died when a Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong way on the A66 in Teesside collided with their marked armed response vehicle. Five occupants of the Passat also died. Their families paid tribute to the officers, highlighting their dedication, courage and family lives. The Independent Office for Police Conduct said the officers were not involved in the original pursuit but had been deployed to help locate the vehicle, which was reportedly using cloned number plates. The IOPC is investigating the circumstances, including the pursuit and officers’ actions.