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Following a tragic road collision that resulted in seven deaths, including five young men and two police officers, four schools in the area have announced early closures this Friday due to safety concerns linked to the funeral arrangements. Jakub Matusiak, aged 23, was among those killed in the head-on accident involving a Volkswagen Passat and a marked police vehicle on the A66 near South Bank. The other young men who lost their lives were Makai Saddington, Theo Rae, Michael Robert Cahill, and Cole Robert Worthy. Officers PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, also died in the crash which occurred on 22 August.
The decision to close the schools early was made after consultations between local headteachers and Redcar and Cleveland Council, anticipating large crowds gathering in South Bank for Jakub Matusiak’s funeral, which is scheduled to take place in Middlesbrough. Traffic disruptions are expected along surrounding routes, prompting concerns for pupil safety and travel difficulties. South Bank Primary School, Outwood Academy Normanby, Archway Academy in Teesville, and St Margaret Clitherow’s Catholic Primary School in South Bank have all confirmed early finishing times, ranging from before midday to lunchtime, to mitigate any potential issues caused by the funeral’s presence in the community.
Tammy Cooper, headteacher at South Bank Primary School, highlighted the expected number of attendees at the funeral service at St John’s Church on Normanby Road and noted that some children might feel upset or anxious. The school’s pastoral team will be on hand to offer emotional support as needed. Similarly, Mark Robinson, principal of Outwood Academy Normanby, informed parents in a letter about the early closure strategy following joint discussions with the council and fellow schools. Additionally, Redcar and Cleveland Council stated the Mackenzie Thorpe Centre would remain closed for the day, and some special educational needs and disability (SEND) pupils living in South Bank and attending other schools might also leave earlier.
Cleveland Police Superintendent John Wrintmore warned that traffic disruption is expected in the local area, including South Bank, Normanby Road, Teesville, Ormesby, Marton, and Acklam Road, with delays likely between 3pm and 5pm on Friday. Police are coordinating closely with local highway authorities to manage traffic and public safety during the funeral event. The local council acknowledged the inconvenience early school dismissals may cause some parents and carers but expressed gratitude for their understanding. This response follows a recent vigil that turned disorderly in Haswell, County Durham, where several vehicles were set ablaze, attracting criticism from both MPs and police.
Further scrutiny surrounds the circumstances of the crash, as the Volkswagen Passat involved was being pursued by police until just 10 seconds before the collision, according to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. The vehicle reportedly had cloned registration plates. Following an extensive police operation targeting organised crime linked to the incident, 27 arrests have been made. The community continues to mourn both the young men and the officers while authorities manage the aftermath and work to maintain public safety during upcoming memorial events
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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