PC Tom Clough funeral takes place after A66 crash
PC Tom Clough, killed in the A66 head-on collision, has been honoured at a ceremonial funeral in Redcar, with police and army veterans paying tribute.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
The funeral of PC Tom Clough, one of two police officers killed in a head-on crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough last month, has taken place in Redcar. Hundreds of police officers and army veterans lined the streets and gathered outside the church to pay their respects. PC Clough's coffin was draped in a union flag and accompanied by pipers, with a full ceremonial funeral conducted by Cleveland Police.
PC Clough, 38, died alongside his colleague PC Matthew Blades when their patrol vehicle was hit by a car travelling the wrong way down the dual carriageway. The five young men in the offending car also died. The crash happened in the early hours of August 22nd after a police pursuit of that vehicle had been called off about ten seconds before the collision. The car had cloned registration plates, and an independent investigation into the incident is ongoing.
The day before, PC Blades had been buried in Hartlepool in a similar ceremonial funeral, with hundreds of officers and members of the public lining the streets. His family described him as a devoted father and a man who brought light into every room. PC Clough's family, through the police federation, said he was a hero, a partner, brother and son, and noted that he used to say nobody would come to his funeral. They added that he was 'so wrong' and wished he could see the number of people who turned out.
Both officers served in the armed forces before joining the police, and their funerals reflected that dual service. Standard bearers from every force in the country attended, along with soldiers from PC Clough's old regiment. The public also came out in force, with many saying they wanted to show respect for officers who risk their lives. The chief executive of Redcar and Cleveland Council said the community would be guided by compassion and support for all those affected by the crash.
Separately, the funerals of the five young men who died in the other car have also been held over recent days. Cleveland Police have been dealing with those services alongside the two officers' funerals. One arrest was made at one of those funerals on suspicion of assault. The force has also received an additional £2 million from the Home Office, though the regional crime commissioner says an extra £20 million is needed to fight organised crime in the area. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is continuing to examine the circumstances of the crash.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 | BBC One | Channel 4 | ITV | Sky News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Both officers died when their patrol vehicle was hit by a car travelling the wrong way on the A66. | · | · | |||
| A police pursuit of the vehicle was called off about 10 seconds before the crash. | · | · | · | ||
| PC Clough served in the British Army and several police forces before joining Cleveland Police. | · | · | · | ||
| Police forces from across the UK were represented at PC Tom Clough's funeral. | · | · | · | ||
| The car contained five young men who also died. | · | · | · | ||
| The funeral of PC Clough took place in Redcar. | · | · | · | ||
| The IOPC was continuing its investigation into the crash. | · | · | · | ||
| The police federation read a statement on behalf of the family, including that Clough had said nobody would come to his funeral. | · | · | · | ||
| A man was arrested at the funeral of one of the other crash victims. | · | · | · | · | |
| A single image from the private funeral service was released. | · | · | · | · | |
| Around 500 people lined the street in Hartlepool town centre for the funeral. | · | · | · | · | |
| Cleveland Police has one of the smallest budgets in the country. | · | · | · | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
BBC ONE West provided detailed, emotional reports on both funerals, focusing on the human stories of the two officers, their families' tributes, and the community's grief. It also highlighted key investigative details such as the cloned plates and the pursuit being called off ten seconds before the crash.
- “Loved beyond words. That's how PC Blades' wife described her husband Matt...”
- “Tom used to say that nobody would ever come to his funeral and it's clear now that he was so wrong.”
Sky News covered both funerals with a focus on the police community and public support. It reported the Prime Minister's tribute and emphasised the family statements, the army background of both officers, and the overwhelming response from the public and other forces.
- “He was the heart of the family and he'll be loved and remembered beyond words today tomorrow and always”
- “Tom used to say there wouldn't be anyone at his funeral. How wrong, he couldn't have been more wrong”
5 News reported on PC Blades' funeral, highlighting the ceremonial aspects, the guard of honour, and the community's need to show respect. It also noted that PC Clough's funeral would follow the next day and mentioned Blades' previous career as an English teacher.
- “Matty as he was known had been an English teacher but switched careers to policing.”
- “Once you're in the police family you're always in the police family and I think it's important to show that support to people.”
ITV News provided comprehensive coverage of both funerals, with a strong focus on the impact on the police force, the wider community, and the ongoing investigation. It also reported on the funerals of the five young men, including an arrest at one service, and highlighted the financial pressures on Cleveland Police.
- “Matthew was the heart of the family and he will be loved and remembered beyond words, today, tomorrow and always.”
- “The tears shed today by police officers wearing the names of their fallen colleagues on their arms are a reminder of the danger they face in simply going to work here.”
Channel 4's report went beyond the funerals to examine the broader context of crime and policing in Cleveland. It highlighted the dangerous conditions officers face, the need for police reform, and the financial shortfall the force faces. It also named the five young men who died and noted their criminal records, while focusing on the impact of the crash on the community.
- “These two guys paid the ultimate price. And I think it made people think that you could go to work one day and not come home.”
- “Cleveland's police faces one of the most severe crime problems in the country, but has one of the smallest budgets.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.