Multiple people dead after crash involving police vehicle on A66
Several people have died following a collision between a police vehicle and a Volkswagen Passat on the A66 in South Bank, near Middlesbrough, in the early hours of this morning.
Multiple people have died after a crash involving a police vehicle and a Volkswagen Passat on the A66 in South Bank, near Middlesbrough. The collision took place at approximately 3.39am, prompting a significant emergency response that remains at the scene.
Cleveland Police have confirmed that several people were killed in the incident, which involved two vehicles. Officers are now working to identify the victims and contact their families, a process that is expected to take time as formal identification procedures are carried out.
The A66 is a major route through Teesside, and the crash has led to road closures in the area while investigators examine the scene. Emergency services, including police and paramedics, were called to the stretch of road in South Bank shortly before 4am and found the two vehicles involved in the collision.
A spokesperson for the force said: "We are working to identify the victims and contact their families." The statement did not provide further details about the number of people involved or the circumstances leading up to the crash, but confirmed that the incident is being treated as a serious collision.
The road remains closed in both directions while specialist collision investigators carry out a forensic examination of the scene. Motorists have been advised to avoid the area and seek alternative routes, with delays expected throughout the morning rush hour.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct has been notified, as is standard procedure when a police vehicle is involved in a fatal collision. The investigation will look into the actions of the police driver as well as the wider circumstances of the crash.
Local residents reported hearing a loud bang in the early hours, with one describing the aftermath as "chaotic" as emergency vehicles arrived. The A66 is a busy arterial road connecting Middlesbrough to the wider Teesside area, and the closure is likely to cause significant disruption to commuters.
This is a developing story, and further updates are expected as the investigation progresses. The families of those who died have not yet been formally informed, and police have asked the public to avoid speculating on social media while the identification process is under way.
