Two officers killed in a car crash near Middlesbrough this morning, which also killed five others, have been named by Cleveland Police
Chief Constable Victoria Fuller says PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough "were brave officers protecting our communities"
The collision happened on the A66 in South Bank, near Middlesbrough on Teesside, shortly after 03:30 BST on Saturday when a car travelling the wrong way collided with a marked police vehicle
Prime Minister Andy Burnham says he is "devastated" to hear about the crash, and thanks emergency services
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp also offers his condolences, saying the police watchdog, the IOPC, "must be given the time and space to complete their investigations without speculation"
Images show a large emergency services response at the scene - North East Ambulance Service says it sent "14 ambulance resources"
Philippa Goymer
BBC North East and Cumbria, reporting from Middlesbrough
The occupants of the Volkswagen Passat which collided with the police vehicle were all in their late teens, the BBC understands.
They are also believed to be male.
We've just heard from Cleveland's Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey on Radio 4's PM programme.
It's "obviously a horrendous incident" and "very upsetting for everyone involved", he says, adding that his "heart goes out" to the families and colleagues of the officers, as well as the loved ones of the people in the Volkswagen Passat.
Storey "can't comment on the operational aspect of what's happened", and says it's "best not to speculate at this point".
He describes communities in the region as "really close knit" and says "everyone's heartbroken".
The mayor of Tees Valley Ben Houchen describes the crash on the A66 as “a horrible and tragic incident”, adding “our police officers are heroes”.
“My thoughts are with those affected, their families and the emergency services who attended the scene," he tells the Press Association.
“Our police officers are heroes who put everything on the line to protect us and I know all of Teesside will want to pay tribute to the officers and other emergency service workers involved for the bravery they have shown in responding to this incident.”
In a statement released by Cleveland Police following the media briefing, the force says the two officers killed were both in their late 30s.
It says PC Matthew Blades was 37, while PC Tom Clough was 38 years old.
Image source, PA MediaCleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller addressed the media a little while ago, where she named the two police officers killed in the car crash on the A66 this morning.
Here's what she said:
Fuller urged the public to respect the privacy of the families and avoid speculation while the investigation is ongoing.
Image source, PA MediaShadow home secretary Chris Philp has shared his condolences after this morning's fatal crash, which killed two police officers and five others.
"My thoughts are with the families and friends of those officers killed in the line of duty earlier today as well as those serving in Cleveland Police, the wider police family and all the emergency services who attend the scene," he says.
He adds that the police and Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) "must be given the time and space to complete their investigations without speculation".
The police car involved in the crash was not part of the pursuit, it was just in the area, the BBC understands.
The pursuit had been abandoned before the crash, according to a police source.
Chief Constable Victoria Fuller concludes her statement by "strongly" urging people to avoid speculation while the investigation is ongoing.
She also asks for the privacy of the families involved be respected.
Image source, PA MediaChief Constable Victoria Fuller says formal identification of the five others killed has also now taken place.
Specialist family liaison officers are also being deployed to support the bereaved families, she says.
She says that, as there are deaths connected to the incident, it is mandatory to refer the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and the force will fully co-operate with the agency's investigation.
As we mentioned earlier, the two police officers killed in this morning’s crash have just been named.
They are PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough.
Image source, PA MediaChief Constable Victoria Fuller says the loss is being felt "across communities, by our police family and by our partner agencies".
"These were brave officers protecting our communities and serving our residents who didn't return home to their families at the end of their shift," she says.
She adds that she and the deputy chief constable visited the police officers' families to offer their condolences earlier.
Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller says that at 03:39 this morning, a Volkswagen Passat was "travelling the wrong way down the A66" and collided with a marked Cleveland Police vehicle.
She names the two police officers who died at the scene.
We will bring you their names as soon as we've confirmed the spellings.
Police have just started giving an update, after a crash in the early hours of this morning killed two officers and five others.
Tap watch live to follow along at the top of the page - we'll also bring you the key lines here.
Image source, ReutersPrime Minister Andy Burnham says he is "devastated" by the deaths of two police officers, along with five members of the public.
"My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of everyone involved, and with everyone at Cleveland Police," he writes on X.
"Thank you to the emergency services responding in incredibly difficult circumstances.
"I would urge people to avoid speculation at this time."
BBC reporter Philippa Goymer runs through what we know so far, after police confirmed earlier that seven have died - including two serving officers - in a crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough.
What we know so far about the Middlesbrough crash
Philippa Goymer
BBC North East and Cumbria, reporting from Middlesbrough
Flags are flying at half mast at Cleveland Police headquarters in Hemlington, Middlesbrough.
Media from regional and national outlets are gathering here ahead of an update from Chief Constable Victoria Fuller.
Cleveland police and crime commissioner Matt Storey says the fatal A66 crash, in which two police officers died, is “tragic” and “devastating”.
"There are few words that can bring comfort to the family, friends and colleagues of the seven people who have lost their lives," he says.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected and with those who are continuing to come to terms with this unimaginable loss, including colleagues at Cleveland Police, who will feel the profound loss of two of their serving officers.
"On behalf of everyone at the office of the police and crime commissioner and the people of Cleveland, I extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of all seven people who lost their lives."
We now expect Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller to give a statement at about 16:00 BST.
You will be able to watch live at the top of this page. We will also bring you the key lines as we get them.
Two councillors for the Eston ward where the crash happened say they are "deeply saddened" by the "unimaginable tragedy".
Writing on social media, David Taylor and Stephen Martin share their "heartfelt condolences" with "the families, friends and loved ones of everyone who tragically lost their life".
They say their thoughts are also with Cleveland Police, "the wider policing family" and emergency services who attended the scene.
"This is an unimaginable tragedy that will be felt deeply throughout TS6 and communities across Cleveland and around the country," they say, referencing the wider area's postcode.
"Absolutely heartbreaking," the post adds.
Image source, PA Media
The A66 - a major artery through Teesside - has been transformed into an emergency scene following this morning's fatal collision.
The road remains closed in both directions between Normanby Road and Church Lane in Eston.
It is an area bordered by large industrial units and close to the major Teesworks site, one of the biggest brownfield regeneration sites in Europe.
Officers have been policing both ends of the cordon - the crash site is not visible from the road closures.
Pictures show several emergency vehicles nearby, and a white tent has been erected over the scene of the crash.
Police have put a drone exclusion zone in place.
