Hundreds attend funeral for police officer killed in A66 crash

Hundreds have turned out for the funeral of one of the police officers killed in a wrong-way crash.

PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, died when a Volkswagen Passat collided with their marked armed response car on the A66 at South Bank, near Middlesbrough, on 22 August. Five young men were also killed.

A full ceremonial police funeral took place for PC Blades in Hartlepool earlier, with hundreds of officers from Cleveland and forces across the country lining the street in a guard of honour.

Speaking on behalf of his family, Cleveland Police Federation chair Lauren Somerville said "life feels unbearably quiet" without the father-of-two's "silly jokes" and laughter.

Members of other emergency services were present alongside community leaders and politicians.

The black hearse, led by a single Cleveland Police motorcycle, was surrounded by officers and bagpipe players.

On top was a simple floral display spelling out 'dad'.

Officers lowered their flags at the side of the street for the procession to pass while uniformed officers carried PC Blades' coffin, wrapped in a union flag, into the church as Amazing Grace was played by the pipers.

Members of the public also lined the streets to pay their respects.

Somerville said flowers had been delivered to the force's stations and people from Australia, France and America had been in touch.

"The support has been overwhelming and it's been comforting," she said.

Somerville added even small acknowledgements of respect from the public, such as a nod or a thank you when they see police out and about, had brought officers "so much strength".

Hutton Avenue in Hartlepool was closed from the junction with Mulgrave Road, alongside St Paul's Road and South Road from the junction with Mitchell Street during the procession.

The force federation chair said Cleveland officers stood side-by-side in uniform at the funeral "filled with pride and dignity".

"I've spoken to Matthew's family and he was described as a best friend, a husband, a father, a brother and a son," Somerville said.

"He was funny and his laughter and silly jokes made them smile even when they least expected it, he brought light and laughter into every room he came into.

"And life feels unbearably quiet without him now."

PC Blades taught English at Carmel College in Darlington before joining the police force.

The school remembered him as an "intelligent, kind and approachable teacher" who "gave generously of himself to the young people in his care".