{
  "id": 2866519,
  "title": "Families of two police officers killed in crash say they were heroes",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/families-of-two-police-officers-killed-in-crash-say-they-were-heroes",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-23T20:12:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC News",
    "slug": "bbc-news",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gvgy3de37o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Two police officers who perished in a head-on collision with a Volkswagen Passat, while pursuing it on the A66 near Middlesbrough, are being remembered as heroes by their families. PC Tom Clough, 38, and PC Matthew Blades, 37, were killed in the crash on Saturday. The Passat, which officers had been chasing, was carrying five individuals who also lost their lives in the accident. Tributes from Cleveland Police highlighted the dedication and selflessness of both officers. PC Clough's family described him as someone who was always willing to help, while PC Blades' wife called him \"loved beyond words.\" The families of the officers are seeking comfort from the outpouring of support and financial assistance raised by the Cleveland Police Federation and other police organizations. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the incident, which occurred while the officers were attempting to apprehend the wrong-way-driving vehicle.",
  "summary": "PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough died after a car driving the wrong way on the A66 near Middlesbrough collided with their vehicle.",
  "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."
}