A car crash that killed seven, including two police officers, on the A66 has been described as “one of the worst collisions involving the police” in recent years.
Police and crime commentator Danny Shaw said the deaths highlighted the “extremely risky and dangerous” nature of police pursuits.
Five members of the public travelling in a Volkswagen Passat and two Cleveland Police officers in a marked police vehicle were killed.
Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller has confirmed the two officers were PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough.
The force said earlier today that the A66 was closed in both directions between Normanby Road and Church Lane following the deadly crash.
Speaking to GB News, Mr Shaw said the incident was “absolutely tragic”.
“I think it’s one of the worst collisions involving the police that I can remember, certainly in recent years.”
He explained that the loss would be felt “really intensely” by the relatives and colleagues of the officers across the police service.
“It’s a very tight-knit community, the police service, and they will feel these deaths really, really intensely,” the policing expert added.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation after officers spotted a suspicious vehicle and began a pursuit.
Cleveland Police said the Passat then travelled onto the A66, drove in the wrong direction, and collided with the police car.
Mr Shaw explained the pursuits of this nature are perilous operations.
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He said that there had been fatal incidents following police pursuits in the past.
The policing expert said that such chases were “extremely risky and dangerous, particularly at high speeds”.
“It needs great skill by the police officers concerned,” Mr Shaw added.
The policing expert also highlighted the particular difficulties officers faced in the early hours of the morning when confronted with a vehicle apparently travelling the wrong way along an A-road.
“How does a police vehicle actually stop that car? That requires a certain amount, I would say, of bravery to attempt to stop that car that’s travelling the wrong way.”
Because of the rise in fatalities in such pursuits, Mr Shaw notes that officers now receive more guidance and training to handle these situations.
“As a result of that, I think it’s fair to say in recent years the number of deaths and the number of fatal collisions has fallen,” he said.
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