Grieving families of crash PCs 'helped by kindness'

57 minutes ago

Samantha JaggerNorth East and Cumbria

News image — PC Matthew Blades (left) and PC Tom Clough were killed in a crash near Middlesbrough last month

Cleveland Police A composite image of the two officers. Both are smiling. PC Matthew Blades, on the left, has neat stubble and short fair hair. PC Tom Clough also has stubble and short greying hair. — PC Matthew Blades (left) and PC Tom Clough were killed in a crash near Middlesbrough last month

The families of two police officers killed in a crash have thanked people for their "dignity" and "kindness" after separate funerals were held for both men.

PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, died when a Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong way crashed into their marked armed response car on the A66 at South Bank, near Middlesbrough, on 22 August, also killing the five males in the other car.

Mourners lined the streets at the funerals for PC Blades, in Hartlepool on 9 September, and PC Clough in Redcar the following day.

PC Blades' family said they were helped by the "powerful presence of so many people", while PC Clough's family said "Tom would have been amazed and so grateful".

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

His family described the day as "incredibly difficult, but seeing the overwhelming respect and support shown for him, and for all of us a family, will stay with us forever".

"The powerful presence of so many people, the tributes, the silence, the claps, the uniforms, the blue lights and every gesture of respect shows just how much Matt meant to so many.

"We are taking each day as it comes, but knowing we are surrounded by so much love and support has helped carry us through the darkest of days."

PA Media The funeral procession which is being led by five men in different coloured kilts playing bagpipes. Behind them is a black hearse with a white, red and green floral tribute on top of it which spells out 'Dad'. Uniformed police officers in black suits and white hats walk alongside the vehicle. Police officers in black uniform and black hats line the street on either side with different coloured flags resting on the road in front of them. In the distance is a crowd of people on the left who are out of focus. — Pipers led the procession ahead of PC Blades' funeral in Hartlepool

Members of the public gathered for PC Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Gardens in Redcar, along with family, friends and former colleagues from British Transport Police and the Civil Nuclear Constabulary in Sellafield, Cumbria.

"To have our community support us in such a way meant the world to the family and we will never forget it," his relatives said.

"Tom would have been amazed and so grateful."

PA Media Police officers dressed in all black line the street Tom Clough's coffin is being transported down. The officers have their heads bowed and they are each holding a different flag which is resting on the ground out in front of them. Four mounted officers on horses lead the cortege with multiple black vehicles behind them, along with army soldiers dressed in brown suits and on-duty police officers in yellow hi-vis. There are large trees lining the road with leaves overhanging on the left. — A mounted police unit led the cortege in Redcar

The family thanked people whose "journey was interrupted and yet got out and stood by your cars with dignity and heads bowed".

They also said they were "immensely grateful" for the support they have received and the "love and warmth has helped our family navigate the loss of Tom".

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