A public fundraiser established to support the families of PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, who died when a car travelling the wrong way collided with their police vehicle on the A66 near Middlesbrough, has raised more than £330,000.

PC Blades, 37, and PC Clough, 38, both fathers of two, were killed when their marked armed response vehicle was struck on the dual carriageway by a Volkswagen Passat. Five occupants inside the Passat also died at the scene: Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Jacob Matusiak, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and Cole Robert Worthy, 17.

According to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, Cleveland Police had initiated a pursuit of the Passat after receiving intelligence regarding numerous incidents and suspected cloned number plates that activated an automatic number plate recognition camera. The watchdog confirmed that the pursuit was called off just ten seconds before the collision occurred. PC Blades and PC Clough were not part of the active pursuit, but had been deployed to the area to assist with searching for the car.

The appeal, set up on Sunday by the Cleveland Police Federation, reached £333,000 by Monday morning, with the funds to be split equally between both officers' families. Organisers stated on the GoFundMe page that both men had left their families to protect the public and paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, leaving behind heartbroken loved ones.

Tributes have poured in from the officers' families. In a statement released through Cleveland Police, the wife of PC Blades said the pain of her loss was beyond words, describing him as her beloved husband, her best friend, and the most devoted father to their two young boys, adding that their sons will always know what an incredible father he was.

PC Blades had also been heavily involved in local youth sport. He recently joined Seaton Carew FC as a coach for the under-sevens Seahawks squad, where he was looking forward to coaching his son, and managed his eldest son's under-10s Reds team at FC Hartlepool, where the club described him as a mentor, role model, and friend whom the children admired.

PC Clough’s family remembered him as a superhero who dedicated his life to protecting others with courage and selflessness. Describing him as a hero with a fantastic sense of humour who proudly fought for his country and was always willing to help, his family and partner expressed sincere gratitude for the overwhelming support and condolences received from the public and colleagues.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was "devastated" by the news, offering his thanks to the emergency service workers who responded at the scene in incredibly difficult circumstances.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct is continuing its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the pursuit and the crash, while the Cleveland Police Federation has confirmed it will maintain ongoing support for the bereaved families. I'll be following this one.