Schools in Middlesbrough to close early for A66 crash funeral
Several schools in Middlesbrough will close early due to anticipated “transport disruption” as a funeral for one of the young men killed in a head-on crash on the A66 takes place.
The fatal collision happened on August 22 when a Volkswagen Passat, that had been pursued by police, was driven the wrong way along the dual-carriageway and hit a marked armed response vehicle.
The crash killed Pc Matthew Blades, 37, and Pc Tom Clough, 38.
Jakub Matusiak, 23; Cole Worthy, 17; Theo Rae, 17; Makai Saddington, 18; and Michael Cahill, 23, were also pronounced dead at the scene.
The funeral service on Friday is understood to be taking place for Mr Matusiak, also known as Jacob, who was travelling in the Volkswagen.
Four schools are due to shut their doors at lunchtime in a decision which has been condemned by shadow education secretary Laura Trott as “wrong”.
Crowds, motorbikes and quad bikes are expected to congregate in Normanby Road in the South Bank area of Middlesbrough for the funeral of Mr Matusiak.
South Bank Primary School will close for pupils at 12pm on Friday “to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our pupils”.
Head teacher Tammy Cooper said in a message shared on Facebook that a funeral is being held locally and they are expecting “large numbers of people in the area which will inevitably cause congestion and transport disruption”.
She said: “This decision has been reached after careful consideration of the potential impact on the departure of pupils, staff and families.
“We recognise the inconvenience this may cause and thank our families for their understanding and co-operation.”
Ms Cooper said the school also recognises “some pupils may feel upset or anxious about the funeral taking place locally” and the pastoral team would be available for support.
Elsewhere Mark Robinson, principal of Outwood Academy in Normanby, said in a letter to parents that the school would also close from midday after discussions between local headteachers and the council.
A vigil for Mr Cahill last week prompted criticism from MPs and police after a crowd set fire to a number of cars in Haswell, County Durham.
A spokesperson for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council said: “Following discussions between local headteachers and the local authority, a number of schools in the South Bank area will close earlier than usual on Friday afternoon due to anticipated traffic congestion and transport disruption associated with a local funeral taking place in the area.
“The decision was made after careful consideration of the potential impact on home-to-school transport and the departure of pupils, staff and families at the end of the school day.
“Schools have worked with the local authority and transport providers to consider arrangements for pupils, including those who travel to and from specialist educational settings.
“We recognise that early closure may cause inconvenience for some parents and carers, and we thank them for their understanding and co-operation.”
Conservative MP Ms Trott has urged education Secretary Lucy Powell to intervene in a letter shared on X, writing: “You have a duty to ensure that this does not impact on the honest and decent pupils, parents and teachers in the area.”
Ms Trott said that “children should not be kept out of school because of the behaviour of thugs on the streets”, adding: “If schools are closing because of concerns about disorder, intimidation or criminality in the surrounding area, then those responsible should be held to account by law.”
She wrote: “Intimidation must never be tolerated. No child should lose out on their education because criminal gangs have brought fear and lawlessness to their community.
“The Government must ensure that criminal gangs don’t get their way. Schools should stay open for children to learn.”
Published: by Radio NewsHub