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Seven more arrested in A66 fatal crash probe

Federica BedendoNorth East and Cumbria
News imagePA Media A wall and railing outside a terraced house in Middlesborough is knocked down, with debris strewn across the small garden and path.PA Media
Four of the men have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage with intent to endanger life

Seven more men have been arrested as part of an organised crime investigation linked to the A66 crash that killed seven people, including two police officers.

Four men, aged 21, 25, 35 and 40, were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage with intent to endanger life after a vehicle hit a house wall in South Bank near Middlesbrough in the early hours of Thursday.

Cleveland Police said they were also being questioned on suspicion of arson after a caravan was set alight on Atlee Road in Middlesbrough early on Wednesday.

Two men, aged 23 and 42, were also arrested on suspicion of threats to kill and a 30-year-old man, on suspicion of possessing criminal property.

The force said it had also seized £15,000 in cash. The three have been released on conditional bail.

A spokesperson for the force said the four men in custody arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and arson, were also being held on suspicion of possessing drugs with intent to supply.

News imageCleveland Police Pictures of the two officers. Both are smiling. PC Blades, left, has stubble and short fair hair. PC Clough also has stubble and short dark hair.Cleveland Police
PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough were killed in a crash near Middlesbrough on Saturday

Earlier this week 17 people were arrested in connection with the investigation into the crash which killed PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, bringing the total number of arrests to 24.

The occupants of the other vehicle, a Passat - Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Jacob Matusiak, 23, Makai Saddington, 18, Theo Rae, 17, and Cole Robert Worthy, 17, also died.

News imageSocial media Five young men in their late teens and early 20s. They all have similar haircuts, with a fringe and faded back and sides. Four of them are gesturing with their fingers. Three of them extend their thumb, index, and pinky fingers - leaving their middle and ring finger tucked down. One points with his index and middle finger whilst holding a Lucozade bottle. They are all dressed in casual clothing.Social media
The five who died in the Passat were Jacob Matusiak, Makai Saddington, Theo Rae, Michael Robert Cahill and Cole Robert Worthy

Cleveland Police previously said it was investigating "serious criminal activity".

Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox said the force's "robust approach" showed its determination to pursue those believed to be "causing serious violence and harm to our communities".

"Be assured, our relentless pursuit of suspected organised criminals will not waver.

"I want to encourage anyone who believes serious violence and organised crime is taking place in their neighbourhood to report it so we can keep on taking action."

Earlier today the force said a house fire in which an aunt and her seven-year-old niece were killed was not believed to be connected to the investigation.

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