Watchdog finds no evidence of police contact or stinger before fatal A66 crash
An initial IOPC investigation found no evidence of "tactical contact" or a stinger before the 22 August A66 crash near Middlesbrough that killed two Cleveland Police officers and five people in a Passat. The full investigation will take months.
Updated (version 2). Rewritten with the latest reporting.
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The story, neutrally told
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said an initial investigation found no evidence of "tactical contact" or use of a stinger before a fatal crash on the A66. BBC NewsN “No evidence of "tactical contact" or the use of a stinger has been found before the A66 crash which killed five young men and two police officers” Read at BBC News ↗ Daily MirrorL “No evidence has been identified that the police initiated contact with the Passat or used a stinger to try to stop it, the IOPC said.” Read at Daily Mirror ↗ The head-on crash, between a Volkswagen Passat and a marked Cleveland Police vehicle, happened at South Bank, near Middlesbrough, on 22 August after a police pursuit that was abandoned. BBC NewsN “happened at South Bank, near Middlesbrough, on 22 August and followed a police pursuit which was abandoned” Read at BBC News ↗ Daily ExpressR “happened at South Bank at 3.39am on August 22” Read at Daily Express ↗ Seven people died: PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, who had not been following the Passat, and the five people in the Passat. BBC NewsN “PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, who had not been following the Passat, were killed.” Read at BBC News ↗
The Passat's occupants were named as Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Jakub Matusiak, 23, Makai Saddington, 18, and 17-year-olds Theo Rae and Cole Robert Worthy. BBC NewsN “Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Jakub Matusiak, 23, Makai Saddington, 18, and 17-year-olds Theo Rae and Cole Robert Worthy.” Read at BBC News ↗ According to the IOPC, the pursuit began at 3.33am; six minutes and 12 seconds later the Passat slowed, approached the A66, turned right and went the wrong way down the dual carriageway. BBC NewsN “the pursuit began at 03.33 BST and six minutes and 12 seconds later, the Passat slowed as it approached the A66, turned right and headed the wrong way down the dual carriageway.” Read at BBC News ↗ Daily ExpressR “the Passat slowed as it approached the A66, turned right and headed the wrong way down the dual carriageway” Read at Daily Express ↗ The pursuing police driver did not follow along the wrong carriageway, turned off the blue lights and continued on the right side of the road; about 17 seconds later the Passat collided with the car carrying the two officers. BBC NewsN “The pursuing police driver did not follow the Passat along the wrong carriageway, turned off the blue warning lights and headed along the A66 on the right side of the road, the watchdog said.” Read at BBC News ↗ Daily ExpressR “The IOPC said the Passat and the car containing Pc Clough and Pc Blades collided around 17 seconds later.” Read at Daily Express ↗
A forensic collision investigator is still working out the speed of both vehicles at impact. BBC NewsN “A forensic collision investigator is still working to ascertain the speed of both vehicles at the point of collision.” Read at BBC News ↗ IOPC director of engagement Emily Barry said the watchdog was aware of speculation about how the collision occurred and that there was "no suggestion the collision was a result of any direct police contact". Daily MirrorL “There is no suggestion the collision was a result of any direct police contact, nor was a stinger used by the police in an attempt to stop the Passat.” Read at Daily Mirror ↗ BBC NewsN “We are aware there is speculation regarding how the collision occurred.” Read at BBC News ↗ Barry said the officers are being treated as witnesses at this stage and that, given the volume of material and commissioned expert reports, the investigation will take months rather than weeks. Daily ExpressR “The officers involved at this stage are being treated as witnesses.”“we anticipate it will take months, rather than weeks, to conclude our investigation.” Read at Daily Express ↗
The IOPC has commissioned two expert reports, one on collision reconstruction and one on the policies and procedures that apply to officers during pursuits. BBC NewsN “The IOPC has commissioned two expert reports, with one considering the collision reconstruction and another assessing the relevant policies and procedures that are in place for officers during pursuits.” Read at BBC News ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- Straight report of the IOPC update, leading on the absence of evidence of tactical contact or a stinger, with the timeline and full Barry statement.
- Emphasis
- The IOPC timeline, the victims' names and Barry's statement on the families and the investigation.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not explain what a stinger is or mention the two commissioned expert reports.
- For example
-
“No evidence has been identified that the police initiated contact with the Passat or used a stinger to try to stop it, the IOPC said.” — Daily Mirror
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- Factual, watchdog-led reports. BBC adds context (defines a stinger, notes the months-long inquiry); Sky's available text is only a one-sentence lede.
- Emphasis
- The IOPC's finding, the timeline, and that the full investigation is far from complete.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Sky's text was not fully available. BBC does not include Barry's line that the officers are being treated as witnesses.
- Charged language
- “young men”
Right2 outlets
- Framing
- Express presents the finding as a 'major update' on a 'horror' crash, with a detailed account close to the IOPC statement; GB News's article is a short, incomplete 'MORE TO FOLLOW' item centred on the two officers.
- Emphasis
- The two officers and the absence of police contact; Express includes the full IOPC timeline and expert reports.
- Leaves out or plays down
- GB News's text omits the timeline, the Passat occupants and the investigation timescale.
- Charged language
- “Major update”“horror”
- For example
-
“Major update on horror A66 wrong way crash that killed two police officers” — Daily Express
“MORE TO FOLLOW...” — GB News
What every side reports
- The IOPC's initial investigation found no evidence of tactical contact or of a stinger being used before the crash.
- The crash happened on 22 August at South Bank, near Middlesbrough, after an abandoned Cleveland Police pursuit.
- Two officers, PC Tom Clough and PC Matthew Blades, died, along with the Passat's occupants.
- The full IOPC investigation will take months.
Where accounts differ
-
Whether the finding is conclusive
- Left
- The Mirror reports the IOPC finding as an initial-investigation result and quotes Barry saying the officers are witnesses and the inquiry continues.
- Centre
- BBC says there is no evidence police initiated contact and stresses the full investigation will take months; its headline says no 'deliberate' contact.
- Right
- The Express headlines it a 'Major update' and GB News leads with the absence of evidence; both report the caveat that the investigation continues (GB News's text is only a partial stub).
Independent Office for Police Conduct organisation
Says its initial investigation found no evidence of direct police contact or a stinger, is treating the officers as witnesses, and expects the full inquiry to take months.
“There is no suggestion the collision was a result of any direct police contact, nor was a stinger used by the police in an attempt to stop the Passat.” — Daily Express
“we anticipate it will take months, rather than weeks, to conclude our investigation.” — Daily Express
Left1 article
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Police watchdog finds no evidence of ‘tactical contact’ before A66 crash that killed seven
Neutral Detailed, watchdog-sourced account with full timeline and Barry's statement.
Centre2 articles
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'Tactical contact' not used by police before head-on A66 crash that killed seven, watchdog says
Neutral One-sentence lede reporting the watchdog finding; calls the road a motorway and the seven 'men'.
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No 'deliberate' contact to stop car in A66 crash
Neutral Plain report with context, stressing the investigation is only initial and will take months.
Right2 articles
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GB NewsR ·
Police watchdog finds no evidence of 'tactical contact' before A66 crash which killed two officers
Neutral Short incomplete item leading on the watchdog's lack of evidence of tactical contact or a stinger.
-
Major update on horror A66 wrong way crash that killed two police officers
Mixed Largely neutral IOPC-sourced detail under a dramatic 'Major update' / 'horror' headline.
- 29 Sep 14:14 First Sky NewsN 'Tactical contact' not used by police before head-on A66 crash that killed seven, watchdog says
- 29 Sep 16:00 +1h 47m GB NewsR Police watchdog finds no evidence of 'tactical contact' before A66 crash which killed two officers
- 29 Sep 16:15 +2h 2m Daily MirrorL Police watchdog finds no evidence of ‘tactical contact’ before A66 crash that killed seven
- 29 Sep 16:17 +2h 3m Daily ExpressR Major update on horror A66 wrong way crash that killed two police officers
- 29 Sep 16:59 +2h 45m BBC NewsN No 'deliberate' contact to stop car in A66 crash
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.