Hundreds gather in Middlesbrough for first A66 crash funeral

Hundreds of people gathered in Middlesbrough for the first funeral of one of five young men killed in a head-on crash on the A66.Jakub Matusiak, also known as Jacob, was killed when a Volkswagen Passat he was travelling in hit a marked police car while going the wrong way down a dual carriageway.The crash killed Pc Matthew Blades, 37, and Pc Tom Clough, 38.Tom Clough and Matthew Blades (Cleveland Police)PA MediaThe five young men in the Passat – Mr Matusiak, 23; Cole Worthy, 17; Theo Rae, 17; Makai Saddington, 18; and Michael Cahill, 23 – were also pronounced dead at the scene.On Friday afternoon, mourners gathered at St John The Evangelist Church in the South Bank area of Middlesbrough, wearing black or orange – Mr Matusiak’s favourite colour.The funeral procession was led by two white horses, with a white Rolls Royce and Lamborghini following.The coffin had “son” engraved on the top and was covered with orange and white flowers.The cortege for Jacob Matusiak arrives at St John’s Church (PA)PA WireNormanby Road outside the church was blocked by the council, but there was no visible police presence outside the church.Earlier, Cleveland Police said potential traffic disruption and delays were expected from 3pm to 5pm, affecting South Bank, Normanby Road through Teesville, Ormesby and Marton, and Acklam Road.Superintendent John Wrintmore said there would “be a proportionate visible police presence in the affected areas to ensure public safety, in line with our plans for any significant gathering”.Four schools shut their doors at lunchtime amid concerns about “congestion and transport disruption”.