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Police line streets for funeral of PC Matthew Blades killed in A66 crash
Hundreds of officers and mourners paid tribute as the service honored a father-of-two remembered for his service and support from more than £1.2 million in donations.
Hundreds of police officers and community members gathered in Hartlepool on Wednesday, September 9, for the ceremonial funeral of PC Matthew Blades, with bagpipers leading the cortege and his coffin draped in the Union flag.
PC Blades, 37, and colleague PC Tom Clough, 38, died on August 22 when their marked armed response vehicle collided head-on with a Volkswagen Passat traveling the wrong way near South Bank, claiming seven lives in total.
A public appeal for the officers' families raised over £1.2 million, with Cleveland Police Federation chair Lauren Somerville reporting overwhelming support and floral tributes from Australia, France, and America.
Police arrested a 39-year-old man on suspicion of assault on Wednesday following a disturbance at Teesside Crematorium during the service for 17-year-old Cole Worthy, which occurred the same day as the Hartlepool funeral.
Today, Thursday, September 10, the funeral for PC Clough takes place in Redcar, following the ceremonial tribute for his colleague as the force honors both officers' legacies.