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, an initial investigation has revealed.

The crash between a Volkswagen Passat and a marked Cleveland Police vehicle happened at South Bank, near Middlesbrough, on 22 August and followed a police pursuit which was abandoned.

The initial investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said there was no evidence police had initiated contact with the Passat.

However, director of engagement, Emily Barry, said it will take the IOPC months to conclude its full investigation due to the amount of information to review.

PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, who had not been following the Passat, were killed.

The five people in the Passat were Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Jakub Matusiak, 23, Makai Saddington, 18, and 17-year-olds Theo Rae and Cole Robert Worthy.

The IOPC said 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.

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.

The Passat and the car PC Clough and PC Blades were in collided around 17 seconds later.

A forensic collision investigator is still working to ascertain the speed of both vehicles at the point of collision.

Barry said: “We continue to recognise the devastating and long-lasting impact this incident has had on the families and those in the force, the policing community, and the wider local community.

“We are aware there is speculation regarding how the collision occurred.

“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.”

A stinger is a portable spike strip used to puncture the tyres of a vehicle.

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.

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