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● LIVE Updated 57m ago · 18 sources tracked

Five more arrests in wrong-way crash investigation

Cleveland Police have bailed or charged five people arrested during the investigation into a fatal wrong-way crash on the A66. More than 200 additional officers have been deployed to Middlesbrough after violence erupted, including cars being set on fire at a vigil for Michael Cahill in Haswell, County Durham. Teesside Coroner's Court has opened inquests into the seven deaths, which include PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38. An MP has described the recent violence as terrorism.

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What changed

Police have processed five arrests through charging or bail and deployed over 200 extra officers to combat violence linked to the crash.

Live updates

  1. Police deploy reinforcements in Middlesbrough following A66 crash violence

    Cleveland Police have bailed or charged five people arrested during the investigation into a fatal wrong-way crash on the A66. More than 200 additional officers have been deployed to Middlesbrough after violence erupted, including cars being set on fire at a vigil for Michael Cahill in Haswell, County Durham. Teesside Coroner's Court has opened inquests into the seven deaths, which include PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38. An MP has described the recent violence as terrorism.

    Why it matters

    The crash killed two police officers and five young men. Detectives are currently investigating connections to serious organised crime and previous threats to kill.

    What is confirmed

    • PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, died in a head-on collision on the A66 in South Bank.
    • Teesside Coroner's Court opened inquests into the deaths of two police officers and five young men.
    • More than 200 additional police officers were sent to Middlesbrough due to fears of violence.
    • Five people arrested in the A66 crash investigation have been bailed or charged.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Cars were torched at a vigil for Michael Cahill in Haswell.
    • An MP described the violence following the crash as terrorism.

    What to watch next

    • Court appearances for the five suspects who were charged.
    • Evidence presented at the Teesside Coroner's Court regarding the cause of the collision.
    Sources used for this update (8)
    1. www.chroniclelive.co.uk — Inquest hears of injuries police officers suffered in fatal A66 wrong-way crash
    2. www.gazettelive.co.uk — Coroner opens inquests into deaths of seven people killed in A66 wrong way crash
    3. www.express.co.uk — More violence in Middlesbrough as police release statement on 'assault with bladed weapon'
    4. metro.co.uk — Hundreds of extra police sent to Middlesbrough ‘after violence linked to A66 crash’
    5. www.thenorthernecho.co.uk — Updates in five arrested in investigation into A66 crash
    6. www.yahoo.com — SLO County man dead after wrong-way driver causes 5-car crash on Hwy. 101
    7. www.irishnews.com — Cars torched at vigil after A66 crash as MP describes violence as ‘terrorism’
    8. metro.co.uk — Cars set on fire at vigil for joyrider killed in A66 wrong-way crash
    confidence 90%

  2. Cleveland Police arrest 17 people following fatal A66 collision

    Cleveland Police have increased the total number of arrests to 17 following a wrong-way crash on the A66 that killed seven people, including two police officers and five young men. Detectives are investigating the events leading to the collision, including allegations of threats to kill and connections to serious organised crime. Public tension has risen following balloon releases held for the deceased young men, which some local residents described as disgraceful.

    Why it matters

    The collision occurred last Saturday near Middlesbrough. A relative of one victim was recently jailed for driving 100mph the wrong way on the same stretch of road months before this incident.

    What is confirmed

    • A wrong-way crash on the A66 killed two police officers and five young men.
    • Cleveland Police have arrested a total of 17 people in connection with the incident.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Some of the arrests involve allegations of threats to kill and links to serious organised crime.
    • Local residents reacted with anger to balloon releases for the young men who died.

    What to watch next

    • Formal charges filed against the 17 detainees
    • Police reports on the link between the crash and organised crime
    • Court proceedings for the jailed uncle of a victim
    Sources used for this update (4)
    1. www.mirror.co.uk — Fury at 'disgraceful' vigils for men dead in wrong-way A66 crash that killed cops
    2. krcrtv.com — Oregon officials detail timeline in killings of 5 people outside Portland
    3. www.lbc.co.uk — Uncle of man killed in A66 crash jailed for driving 100mph the wrong way down same stretch months before fatal collision
    4. www.dailynews.com — Father says college student was killed by police in Pennsylvania after he went to wrong house
    confidence 90%

  3. Five more arrests in Middlesbrough A66 wrong-way crash investigation

    Police have arrested five additional people following a wrong-way collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough that killed seven people. The victims include two police officers and five young men. Cleveland Police previously reported 12 arrests for various alleged offences, bringing the total number of detainees higher. Detectives are currently investigating the events leading up to the crash, with some inquiries involving allegations of threats to kill and potential links to serious organised crime.

    Why it matters

    The collision occurred in the early hours of Saturday. British authorities are simultaneously pressuring social media platforms like TikTok to remove content that glorifies dangerous driving. This follows reports of an internet subculture where young men speed for online likes.

    What is confirmed

    • Seven people died in the wrong-way crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough.
    • The deceased include two police officers and five young men.
    • Five additional people have been arrested as part of the investigation.
    • Cleveland Police had previously arrested 12 people on suspicion of various alleged offences.

    Still unconfirmed

    • The investigation involves threats to kill.
    • Detectives are investigating serious organised crime links.

    What to watch next

    • Official charges filed against the 17+ arrested individuals
    • Police confirmation of the specific link between the crash and organised crime
    • Response from TikTok regarding the removal of dangerous driving videos
    Sources used for this update (10)
    1. CNN — The latest dangerous social media trend that ‘gamifies’ deadly driving
    2. AP News — Britain tells TikTok and other platforms to remove videos glorifying dangerous driving after deaths
    3. The Guardian — Speeding for online glory: the internet subculture where young men drive dangerously for likes
    4. BBC — Five more arrests in Middlesbrough A66 wrong-way crash investigation
    5. BBC — Who were the seven killed in wrong-way crash?
    6. metro.co.uk — Five new arrests over A66 crash which killed two police officers and five others
    7. www.mirror.co.uk — 5 more arrests after deadly wrong-way crash on A66 including over ‘threats to kill’
    8. au.news.yahoo.com — A66 crash: Five more people arrested as detectives investigate events before deadly wrong way collision
    9. www.devonlive.com — Five more arrests made as investigation into 'serious organised crime links' after A66 crash killed two officers
    10. www.dailyrecord.co.uk — Further arrests after horror A66 wrong-way crash with investigation involving 'threats to kill'
    confidence 90%