Wife of Cleveland police officer who died in horrific Middlesborough crash that killed six others shares heartbreaking statement
The wife of a police officer killed in a catastrophic car crash near Middlesborough has said his two children will 'carry his love' always.
PC Matthew Blades, 37, died alongside colleague PC Tom Clough around 3.39 am on Saturday (22 Aug), while searching for a vehicle with fake licence plates, when the suspect's car suddenly crossed into the wrong side of a dual carriageway.
The Volkswagen Passat, carrying five male passengers, collided with their marked police vehicle head-on, killing everyone in both cars, all of whom were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police have since identified the group travelling along the A66 as Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Jacob Matusiak, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Cole Robert Worthy, 17, and Makai Saddington, 18.
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Seconds before the crash, Blades and Clough had called off their chase.
Blades' wife has since described him as 'patient and kind' in a statement issued to the press on behalf of his family.
"No words will ever feel like the right words to honour our Matt - my beloved husband, my best friend, and the most devoted father to our two young boys," she began. "He was an adored son and brother, a perfect son-in-law, and the most fun uncle.
"He was loved beyond words by all his family and friends, and his loss has left a space that can never be filled."
She continued: "He gave his life in the line of duty, protecting and serving others with courage, dedication and selflessness. The pain of losing him is beyond words, and our lives will never be the same.
"Neither will the love he gave us ever fade."
The heartbroken widow concluded: "Our children will grow up knowing what an incredible father he was and will always be, and I will carry his love, his memory and everything we shared with me always."
The family of 38-year-old PC Clough, who is believed to have served in the British Army in Iraq and Afghanistan before joining the force, also shared a statement, crediting his 'fantastic sense of humour'.
"We, as a family and Tom’s partner, would like to express our sincere gratitude for the overwhelming support and condolences," they said. "He was our hero with a fantastic sense of humour.
"Jumped into action whenever needed and willing to help anyone for any reason. Proudly fought for his country to make the world a better place."
They added: "Always on public duty throughout his short life."
Police have since confirmed that one of the men, Saddington, was awaiting trial for racially abusing and assaulting police officers.
According to The Mail, he'd made his first appearance at Teeside Magistrates' Court in July, where he was accused of assaulting Cleveland Police officer Sergeant Rooker and causing racially aggravated alarm or distress to a PC Chowdhury.
Saddington is also understood to have shared several clips on social media in the lead up to the crash, showing his involvement in other police chases.
His case was adjourned to a later date.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) have since said that Clevelend Police had been pursuing the Passat the morning of the crash following reports of 'numerous incidents'.
The vehicle had been using a cloned registration plates which activated an ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) camera.
Blades and Clough's pursuit of the vehicle lasted under seven minutes, after which the vehicle was seen crossing onto the wrong side of the road.
Despite the pair 'aborting' the chase, they were killed approximately seconds later.
Rhianna Benson