The five young men who died in the A66 crash near Middlesbrough have been named as Makai Saddington, 18, Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Jacob Matusiak, 23, Cole Robert Worthy, 16, and Theo Rae, 17, with tributes now emerging from friends and family as the police watchdog continues its investigation into the collision that also killed two officers.
The five young men killed in the crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough have been formally named by police. Makai Saddington, 18, Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Jacob Matusiak, 23, Cole Robert Worthy, 16, and Theo Rae, 17, were all travelling in the Volkswagen Passat involved in yesterday’s fatal collision. The crash also claimed the lives of two Cleveland Police officers, PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, bringing the total death toll to seven.
How the crash happened
Police have said officers first spotted the Volkswagen acting “suspiciously” and driving on the wrong side of the road in South Bank. According to police, the pursuing officers abandoned their pursuit once the vehicle moved onto the wrong side of the carriageway. A separate marked armed response vehicle, travelling on the correct side of the A66, then collided with the Volkswagen at around 3.39am.
Tributes to the five young men
Tributes have begun to emerge from friends and relatives of the five young men, with several describing the deaths as devastating. Memorial gatherings, including planned balloon releases, are being organised in their memory.
Makai Saddington was born and raised in Pallister Park, Middlesbrough, according to a tribute from his aunt, Sharon Morgan. Friends of Jakub Matusiak described him as someone closely involved in their families’ lives, with one friend saying he had been part of her and her children’s lives for many years.
Theo Rae was remembered by friends as someone who regularly checked in on the people close to him, with tributes also directed towards his mother and wider family. A memorial event has been announced for Cole Worthy, with friends and family invited to gather and release balloons in his honour.
Social media material relating to Makai Saddington has reportedly emerged, including videos that appear to show high-speed driving and a police chase. Given the ongoing nature of the investigation, such material should be treated cautiously and attributed as reported rather than established fact.
Investigation continues
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation into the crash remains ongoing, meaning the precise circumstances surrounding the police pursuit and the events immediately preceding the collision have not yet been conclusively established.
