Tragic details revealed at inquest of two brave cops killed in A66 wrong-way crash – as fundraiser reaches over £1m

TWO police officers killed in the A66 wrong-way crash died from head and neck injuries, an inquest heard. Firearms officers PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, died instantly in the horror on Saturday. Emergency services at the scene on the A66 in South Bank Credit: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire PC Tom Clough, a former soldier and Iraq war veteran, tragically died in the horror collision Credit: PA PC Matthew Blades’ wife paid a touching tribute to her husband Credit: Cleveland Police Jakub Matusiak, 23, Michael Cahill, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and Cole Worthy, 17, also died when Volkswagen Passat they were travelling the wrong way in smashed into the officers. An inquest heard today how the tragic officers were declared dead at the scene on the A66 at South Bank, near Middlesbrough. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! PC Blades was identified by his wife and PC Clough by his partner, Teesside Magistrates’ Court was told. Area Coroner for Teesside and Hartlepool Paul Appleton said: “At this stage it is understood that there had been a police pursuit of the Volkswagen Passat. “It entered the A66 carriageway against the flow of traffic, at which stage the pursuit was aborted. “A short time after … the Volkswagen Passat collided with a police vehicle, which had not been directly involved in the prior pursuit.” The provisional cause of death given to both officers as head and neck injuries. Mr Appleton adjourned the inquest pending criminal proceedings. Most read in The Sun A fundraiser set up to help the families of PC Blades and PC Clough has now reached more than £1million. Officers had been chasing the Volkswagen Passat for seven minutes after it was linked to earlier alleged criminal activity. Makai Saddington, 18, died in the crash, had previous convictions and was alleged to be pursuing a rival gang alongside his friends Close friends Theo Rae, 17, (left) and Cole Worthy, 17, are understood to have been chasing a rival gang in the Passat when it crashed Credit: Facebook/Theo Rae Jacob Matusiak, 23, had previous convictions and died in the crash Credit: Facebook/Jakub Hewitt Michael Cahill, 23, who had no convictions, died in the crash which also killed two police officers Credit: Facebook/Michael Ray The pursuit was abandoned ten seconds before the crash when the Passat turned on to the dual carriageway. PC Blades and PC Clough had been in a vehicle looking for the Passat after its cloned registration plates triggered an automated number plate recognition camera. They were not involved in the chase with the five men, Cleveland Police said. Dad-of-two PC Blades was described by his family as a “beloved husband” and the “most devoted father”. PC Clough had served in the Army, with one pal calling him a “true friend, fantastic soldier and I have no doubt even better police officer”. Police have made 17 arrests as part of a “fast-moving and complex” investigation. The suspects — 14 men and three women aged 16 to 61 — were held for a variety of offences, including the participation in organised crime gangs. Two have since appeared in court charged with possession of a firearm, drug dealing and possession of stolen property. A third has been recalled to prison. Valentina Foster, seven, and her aunt Natalie McDonald, 34, died in the blaze Credit: Facebook Valentina was staying with her aunt at the time The inferno is understood to be linked to the horror A66 crash which claimed seven lives, including two policemenCredit: NNP Cops believe the Passat gang were out looking for revenge after the home belonging to Worthy’s dad, pictured, was rammed twice by a Volvo Credit: PA The inquest opening comes after seven-year-old Valentina Foster and her aunt Natalie McDonald, 34, were killed in a blaze in Middlesbrough. Cops fear the blaze at Natalie’s home on Wednesday was part of a revenge attack following the A66 crash. Two men, aged 23 and 31, have been arrested on suspicion of murder over the fire and remain in custody. Police said they “were keeping an open mind and cannot rule out links to organised crime”. Valentina’s distraught gran Valerie Foster has since paid tribute, saying: “Life is so cruel. My beautiful granddaughter, Valentina.” One woman, 48 was pulled from the fire and taken to hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne in a critical condition. Three others were hurt, including one who jumped from an upstairs window – although their injuries are not said to be life-threatening. The crash is also feared to be linked to an incident just 40 minutes before the when Worthy’s dad had his home rammed by a Volvo XC60. It is believed the stolen Passat had been pursuing the rival gang behind the attack on the home as part of a violent feud. There is no indication that Worthy’s father was involved in any criminal activity. Another house in Middlesbrough was rammed overnight – just a stone’s throw from the tragic fire. Police have not linked the attack to the crash and said it has not been confirmed whether it is related to “wider organised crime”. The force previously said that four of those killed in the Passat – Worthy, Matusiak, Saddington and Rae – that hit the cop car had previous police convictions. All four had appeared in court charged with a series of offences.