Skip to content

Multiple deaths after police vehicle and car crash during pursuit

Tom MacDougalland
Tom Mullen,North East
BBC An aerial-view drone shot of the crash scene. Vehicle debris is strewn across one side of the dual-carriageway A66. One car wreck has a blue tarp covering it. Another wreckage is obscured by overhanging leaves from trees at the side of the road. There is a blue and white emergency tent. Fire engines, ambulances, and police vans are parked along the road, which is shut in both directions.BBC
A section of the A66, a major artery through Teesside, was expected to stay closed for the rest of Saturday

Multiple people have died in a crash involving a police vehicle and a car following a pursuit, police have said.

The collision involved a police vehicle and a Volkswagen Passat on the A66 in South Bank, near Middlesbrough in Teesside, at about 03:39 BST, Cleveland Police said.

North East Ambulance Service said 14 "ambulance resources" attended and "a number of patients died at the scene".

A police spokesman said: "Sadly, the collision has resulted in multiple fatalities. We are working to identify the victims and contact their families."

The Independent Office for Police Conduct said it was opening an investigation.

The watchdog said: "At this early stage, we understand Cleveland Police sighted a suspicious vehicle and a pursuit began."

Owen Humphreys/PA Police vans of varying size are lined up in a row leading up to the sie of the wreckage, all with reflective liveries. To one side, two police officers rest with paper cups, with one sat on the metal barrier between the two sides of the road.Owen Humphreys/PA
A huge emergency response could be seen along the road

The A66 is the major artery through Teesside and the location of the crash is surrounded by industrial units and factories.

The road was closed in both directions between Normanby Road and Church Lane and the force said it was set to stay shut for the rest of the day.

A police van and a car could be seen at the east side of the road with lights flashing, with two police officers standing at the scene.

Motorists have been advised to use alternative routes.

The force said there were still "significant emergency service vehicles" on the scene.

It added: "This is a quickly evolving incident and we ask that members of the public respectfully avoid speculation."

The North East Ambulance Service said: "Sadly, despite the best efforts of everyone attending, a number of patients died at the scene," the service said.

"We send condolences to all of those affected by such a tragic event and thank everyone for all they did to help."

Anna Turley, MP for the local Redcar constituency, said she was "deeply saddened".

"My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives, and with everyone affected," she said.

"Thank you to all of our emergency services, who have worked through the night responding to this devastating incident."

Owen Humphreys/PA A police officer in a black uniform is walking across the A66, which is completely closed to traffic.Owen Humphreys/PA
The policing watchdog said the crash happened during a pursuit of a "suspicious vehicle"

Follow BBC Tees on X,Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram and listen to Radio Tees on BBC Sounds.