Cleveland police have arrested seventeen people in connection with a horrific crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough that killed seven people, including two serving police officers, in the early hours of Saturday 22 August. PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, died when a car being pursued by police was driven the wrong way along the dual carriageway and collided head-on with their marked armed-response vehicle. All five occupants of the car, aged between 17 and 23, were also killed at the scene; four had previous convictions and were believed to be linked to another vehicle seen ramming properties earlier that night. Assistant chief constable Wayne Fox said the investigation has 'significant links to serious and organised crime’. The arrests, made with support from the National Crime Agency, included a 19-year-old charged with possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and a 26-year-old charged with drug offences. The wife of PC Blades said he 'gave his life in the line of duty, protecting and serving others with courage, dedication and selflessness’.