PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough Among Seven Killed in A66 Crash Near Middlesbrough, England

MIDDLESBROUGH, England — Two police officers have been identified among seven people killed in a head-on crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough early Saturday following a police pursuit.

The officers were identified as PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, both serving with Cleveland Police.

Seven Killed in Head-On Collision

Police said a Volkswagen Passat carrying five people was traveling the wrong way along the A66 near South Bank when it collided head-on with a marked police vehicle traveling in the opposite direction.

The crash happened at about 3:39 a.m. Saturday.

All five people in the Volkswagen and the two police officers were pronounced dead at the scene.

Crash Followed Police Pursuit

Authorities said the Volkswagen had been involved in a police pursuit before the collision.

Investigators are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the pursuit and how the vehicle came to travel in the wrong direction.

Independent Investigation Underway

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has opened an investigation into the incident.

Cleveland Police said specialist support is being provided to the families of those killed as formal identification work continues for the other victims.