King writes to families of brave police officers killed in A66 crash
King Charles has written to the families of the two brave police officers who were killed in the A66 horror crash in Middlesbrough last weekend, reports suggest.
He sent letters of condolence to the relatives of Pc Tom Clough, 38, and Pc Matthew Blades, 37, the Mirror has reported.
The King wanted to add his voice to the show of support for the two officers “who made the ultimate sacrifice”.
A source told the Mirror: "His Majesty the King was shocked by the devastating events and wrote personally to the families of the police officers involved to express his deepest sympathies for their loss."
A fundraiser, set up by the Police Federation has raised around £1.2m for the pair’s grieving families.
They were killed when a Volkswagen Passat, with five young men in, hit them while travelling the wrong way down the A66.
All seven people were pronounced dead at the scene. Police had been pursuing the VW over links to gang-related activity, but called it off when the car began heading down the wrong carriageway of the A road.
Pc Blades, 37, was a married father-of-two and dedicated football coach in his spare time.
He had recently joined Seaton Carew FC as a coach and was looking forward to teaching his son in its under-sevens Seahawks squad, the club said.
The officer also coached his eldest son and other youngsters in the under-10s Reds team at FC Hartlepool, which called him “a role model, a mentor, a friend, and someone the children looked up to and admired”.
Pc Blades’s wife called him “our superhero”, and said: “He gave his life in the line of duty, protecting and serving others with courage, dedication and selflessness.”
In a statement issued by Cleveland Police, she called him “my beloved husband, my best friend, and the most devoted father to our two young boys”.
The officer’s wife said he was “an adored son and brother, a perfect son-in-law, and the most fun uncle”.
“He was loved beyond words by all his family and friends, and his loss has left a space that can never be filled,” she said.
“Our children will grow up knowing what an incredible father he was and will always be, and I will carry his love, his memory and everything we shared with me always.”
Former soldier Pc Clough, 38, was described by his family as “our hero” who was “always on public duty”.
They said he “jumped into action whenever needed, and (was) willing to help anyone for any reason”.
The family statement added that he “proudly fought for his country to make the world a better place”.
It continued: “We as a family and Tom’s partner would like to express our sincere gratitude for the overwhelming support and condolences from friends, colleagues and the wider community.”
A man who knew Pc Clough called him a “true friend, fantastic soldier and I have no doubt even better police officer”, in a tribute on social media.
Pc Clough’s commanding officer from his time serving with the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) in Sellafield paid tribute to him as the “epitome of professionalism” who also had a “fun-loving, cheeky nature”.