An initial investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) found no evidence that police used tactical contact or a stinger before a crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough. The collision killed two Cleveland Police officers and five young men, after the men’s car entered the dual carriageway on the wrong side; the findings address speculation about how the crash occurred but are not the final conclusions.

The pursuit began at 3.33am on Saturday 22 August. Police footage indicates that six minutes later the Passat turned onto the wrong carriageway, while the pursuing car stayed on the correct side with its blue lights off; 17 seconds later, the Passat struck another police vehicle. The IOPC has commissioned reports on the collision reconstruction and police pursuit policies, and says its investigation is expected to take months.