{
  "id": 2656195,
  "title": "Two police officers among seven killed in wrong-way car crash",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/two-police-officers-among-seven-killed-in-wrong-way-car-crash",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-22T21:16:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "KahawaTungu",
    "slug": "kahawatungu",
    "url": "https://kahawatungu.com/two-police-officers-among-seven-killed-in-wrong-way-car-crash/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Seven people, including two police officers, tragically lost their lives in a collision involving a car travelling the wrong way on a dual-carriageway. The incident occurred near Middlesbrough on the A66 dual carriageway. The Volkswagen Passat, carrying five individuals believed to be in their late teens, struck a marked Cleveland Police vehicle. The pursuit of the vehicle had reportedly been called off before the crash, yet the police vehicle was present in the South Bank area at the time. Both officers, PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, were pronounced dead at the scene. Chief Constable Victoria Fuller described them as \"brave officers protecting our communities\" and expressed condolences, stating that it was an \"incredibly sad day for Cleveland\". The tragedy has left a profound impact on the community and the policing family, with the Prime Minister, the Home Secretary, and the local MP offering their support and condolences. The A66 was closed in both directions as a result of the incident, and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation.",
  "summary": "Seven people including two police officers have been killed in a crash with a car driving the wrong way down a dual-carriageway following a pursuit. A Volkswagen Passat with five occupants said to be in their late teens struck an oncoming marked Cleveland Police vehicle on the A66 near Middlesbrough at about 03:39 BST. The [...] The post Two police officers among seven killed in wrong-way car…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}