Seven people, including two Cleveland Police officers, died after a marked police car collided with a Volkswagen Passat near Middlesbrough in the early hours.
The UK’s Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has opened an investigation into the circumstances of the crash.
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Cleveland Police identified the officers as Pc Matthew Blades and Pc Tom Clough, who were travelling in the marked vehicle.
Police said five other people were inside the Passat, which was travelling the wrong way along the A66 in South Bank. The car then struck the police vehicle, which was travelling in the correct direction on the same road.
Chief Constable Victoria Fuller said: “First and foremost, our thoughts are with the families of everyone involved in today’s incident.
“No one should leave their home and not return safely, including police officers serving their communities and protecting the people of Cleveland.
“This tragic incident will be felt across Cleveland, within our communities and throughout the entire policing family.
“We are providing specialist support to all families involved at this extremely difficult time.
“The investigation has been referred to the IOPC, which is the standard approach when a death occurs following police contact. We will cooperate fully with their investigation.
“While this investigation takes place, we strongly urge people to avoid speculation.”
Cleveland police said the Volkswagen Passat was travelling in the wrong direction
A large white tent was put up at the crash site as emergency service vehicles gathered in the area.
Police also introduced a drone exclusion zone around the scene.
North East Ambulance Service said it responded to the two-vehicle collision with 14 units, including ambulance crews, a specialist paramedic, a hazardous area response team and a doctor from Great North Air Ambulance Service.
A spokesperson for the service said: “Sadly, despite the best efforts of everyone attending, a number of patients died at the scene.
The roads around the scene of the crash were closed
“We send condolences to all of those affected by such a tragic event and thank everyone for all they did to help.”
IOPC director of investigations Nicola Marfleet said: “This is a tragic incident, and my thoughts are with family and friends and all those affected, including the emergency services in attendance.”
She said investigators had been deployed to begin examining the evidence and that the watchdog was working with Cleveland Police to establish how the collision happened.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham posted on X: “Devastated to hear that two police officers have lost their lives while on duty in Cleveland this morning, as well as five members of the public.
“My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of everyone involved, and with everyone at Cleveland Police.
“Thank you to the emergency services responding in incredibly difficult circumstances. I would urge people to avoid speculation at this time.”
The chairwoman of Cleveland Police Federation said “words cannot describe the pain” felt after the deaths of the two officers.
Lauren Somerville said: “Words cannot describe the pain the Cleveland Police family are feeling today.
“Our colleagues who should have been going home to their loved ones at the end of their shifts are not. And that is just unfathomable.
“Cleveland Police Federation will be offering full support to our fallen colleagues’ families and they have all of our love and care at this time.”
In a statement, the federation said it was supporting the officers’ close colleagues and urged the public to “spare a thought” for Cleveland Police officers continuing to work after the deaths.
