Multiple schools across the Middlesbrough area will shut their doors early on Monday to accommodate the funeral of Theo Rae, 17, one of five young people who died in a catastrophic collision on the A66 in the early hours of 22 August. The crash also claimed the lives of two Cleveland Police officers, bringing the total death toll to seven. This marks the second time in a week that educational institutions in the region have adjusted their schedules due to funerals connected to the incident.
Theo Rae was a passenger in a Volkswagen Passat that travelled the wrong way down the A66 near Middlesbrough and collided head-on with a marked police vehicle at approximately 03:39 BST. The four other occupants of the car—Jakub Matusiak, 23, Makai Saddington, 18, Michael Robert Cahill, 23, and Cole Robert Worthy, 17—were also killed in the impact. The two officers who died at the scene were PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38.
The collision has since triggered a significant police investigation into organised crime. According to Cleveland Police, 12 people have been arrested as part of the wider operation, with one person charged so far. The arrests relate to allegations including possession of a firearm and involvement in an organised crime group. An Independent Office for Police Conduct investigation was also launched following Cleveland Police's mandatory referral.
Which schools will close and when?
Middlesbrough Council confirmed that several schools have opted to close early on Monday afternoon to prevent traffic disruption affecting pupils' journeys home. Outwood Academy Acklam will shut at 12:15 BST, Newham Bridge Primary School at 13:00, and both Acklam Whin Primary School and Green Lane School in Acklam at 13:15.
In correspondence to parents, Newham Bridge Primary School stated the decision was made to "ensure safe transit home for all our families". Outwood Academy Acklam said the closure followed "careful consideration of the potential impact on pupils, staff and families travelling to and from the school".
Why are schools closing?
Middlesbrough Council explained that the early closures were chosen "based on the possibility of localised traffic disruption leading to delays later in the afternoon". The funeral cortege is expected to travel through Middlesbrough before proceeding to St Bede's Chapel on Acklam Road at Teesside Crematorium in Acklam.
Cleveland Police indicated that Ladgate Lane, Ormesby Road, Cargo Fleet Lane and Acklam Road will all experience disruption during the funeral arrangements. Superintendent John Wrintmore stated that the closures had not been made on police recommendation but that the force was liaising with local partners about expected congestion. He added:
There will be a proportionate visible police presence in the affected areas to ensure public safety, in line with our plans for any significant gathering.
This is the second funeral-related school closure in the region within a week. Four schools in South Bank closed early on Friday for the funeral of Jakub Matusiak, one of the five young men killed in the crash. According to reports of that funeral, hundreds attended the service at St John the Evangelist Church, with a procession featuring horses and a Lamborghini. Police said that event "passed without issue" and with "very minimal traffic disruption".
What has been the political response?
The decision to close schools for a second funeral has drawn criticism from Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, who described the closures as "obscene" and called out Education Secretary Lucy Powell. Badenoch wrote on X:
Lucy Powell should be ashamed that she has refused to intervene. It was bad enough that schools closed early last week but it is completely unfathomable that the Labour government has not stopped it happening again this week.
Powell previously stated she trusted headteachers to make decisions to keep their communities safe. A spokesperson for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council defended the earlier decision for Matusiak's funeral, saying it was made "after careful consideration of the potential impact on home-to-school transport".
What happened in the original crash?
The collision on 22 August resulted from a Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong way down the A66 and striking an oncoming Cleveland Police vehicle. The five occupants of the Passat—Theo Rae, Jakub Matusiak, Makai Saddington, Michael Robert Cahill and Cole Robert Worthy—were pronounced dead at the scene, as were the two police officers, PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough.
The crash occurred following a police pursuit and prompted the Independent Office for Police Conduct to launch an investigation after Cleveland Police made a mandatory referral. Five Teesside MPs subsequently called on the government to provide additional resources to police and fire services after the incident, which coincided with a separate house fire in the area that claimed two lives.
Inquests into all seven deaths were formally opened on 27 August. The wider investigation into organised crime has resulted in arrests covering allegations of firearm possession and involvement in criminal enterprises.
What happens next?
Theo Rae's funeral is scheduled for Monday afternoon at Teesside Crematorium in Acklam. Acklam Grange school has indicated it will provide further information about possible closures on Tuesday and Wednesday as additional funeral arrangements may be announced for other victims of the crash.
Key Facts:
- Seven people died in the A66 crash on 22 August: five occupants of a Volkswagen Passat and two Cleveland Police officers
- This is the second week running that schools have closed early due to funerals connected to the incident
- Twelve people have been arrested in the wider investigation, with one charged so far on allegations including firearm possession and organised crime involvement
- The crash occurred following a police pursuit and triggered an Independent Office for Police Conduct investigation
- Multiple roads in Middlesbrough will experience disruption during Monday's funeral arrangements
