Story perspectives

Independent police watchdog launches inquiry after A66 crash

8/23/2026

Summary

Police Killed

PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough were killed when a head-on collision struck their police vehicle on the A66.
The Passat entered the A66 traveling the wrong way and collided head-on with the police vehicle.
The crash killed occupants Makai Saddington (18), Michael Robert Cahill (23), Theo Rae (17), Cole Robert Worthy (16) and Jakub Matusiak (23).
The Independent Office for Police Conduct opened an inquiry after a mandatory referral from Cleveland Police.

Summary

TikTok Trend Kills

The A66 crash killed twelve people in a week linked to a TikTok-driven wrong-side driving trend.
An 18-year-old passenger filmed high-speed driving with police lights flashing behind the car.
Ireland’s Taoiseach Michael Martin warned the reckless, social-media-fueled behaviour must stop after a similar Dublin crash.
A Section 60 order granting extra stop-and-search powers remained near the crash site until 7.15 pm on Sunday.

History

Historical Context

In summer 2018 the “Kiki Challenge,” a dance to Drake’s “In My Feelings” popularized by Shiggy, spread on TikTok and Instagram, prompting drivers to film themselves dancing beside moving cars. The stunt caused over 100 U.S. collisions and a 12-death A66 crash, leading the UK Home Office and Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin to tighten social-media rules and expand police powers.

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Police Killed

PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough were killed when a head-on collision struck their police vehicle on the A66.
The Passat entered the A66 traveling the wrong way and collided head-on with the police vehicle.
The crash killed occupants Makai Saddington (18), Michael Robert Cahill (23), Theo Rae (17), Cole Robert Worthy (16) and Jakub Matusiak (23).
The Independent Office for Police Conduct opened an inquiry after a mandatory referral from Cleveland Police.

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