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An MP has condemned the chaotic behavior that took place during a balloon release event held in memory of one of the young men who lost his life in the A66 car collision. Disturbing footage shared on social media overnight reportedly shows vehicles being set on fire in a field located in Haswell, County Durham, alongside the ignition of flares and masked individuals riding motorbikes.
Anna Turley, the MP for Redcar, expressed her strong disapproval of the disturbances, stating that the event “put lives at risk” and left local residents feeling “frightened and angry in their own communities.” She emphasized that while grieving and paying respects is a fundamental right, residents must also feel secure within their neighborhoods and homes. Authorities such as Cleveland Police and the fire service have been approached for commentary on the situation.
The tragedy traces back to a crash near Middlesbrough last Saturday, in which seven individuals, including police officers Matthew Blades and Tom Clough, lost their lives. Shortly after, a fatal house fire in Grangetown resulted in the deaths of a woman and her seven-year-old niece. In response to the unrest linked to the memorial event, MP Turley urged local officials and police to exercise “every appropriate power to protect our communities.”
She further criticized the dangerous conduct witnessed, such as illegal bikes and quad bikes being operated recklessly, as well as the setting off of fires and fireworks, saying these acts “only heightens people’s sense of fear and lawlessness.” Turley acknowledged the sorrow of those affected but underscored that unlawful actions “cannot be excused and unchecked.”
The fatal collision that occurred on the A66 involved a Volkswagen Passat traveling against traffic at South Bank, which collided with the vehicle carrying PC Blades and PC Clough. All five young men inside the Passat died as well. Subsequent inquests into the deaths of all seven individuals were opened on Thursday.
As investigations proceed, police have arrested 17 individuals from across Teesside, aged between 16 and 61, with various charges including possession of a firearm and involvement in organized crime groups. In a separate tragedy, 34-year-old Natalie McDonald and her niece Valentina Foster, aged seven, died in the Grangetown house fire. Natalie’s mother, Lisa Kirton, fondly described her daughter as “a beautiful soul, who would have done anything for anybody.” Valentina, who was affectionately known as Tina, had been enjoying her summer holidays at the house and was “dancing around the living room” just the night prior to the fire
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