Multiple people killed in police vehicle crash on A66 road in UK

Multiple people have died after a collision involving a police vehicle and a Volkswagen Passat on the A66 in Teesside, Cleveland Police said Saturday.

The crash happened at about 3:39 a.m. BST on August 22 in the South Bank area, near Middlesbrough, UK. The North East Ambulance Service said three vehicles were involved, although police have so far identified the police vehicle and Volkswagen Passat without providing further details about the third vehicle.

Emergency services sent a large response to the scene. The North East Ambulance Service deployed 14 ambulance resources, including emergency ambulance crews, a specialist paramedic, its hazardous area response team and a doctor from the Great North Air Ambulance Service. Several people were pronounced dead at the scene despite efforts by emergency crews.

Cleveland Police said officers were working to establish the identities of those who died and contact their relatives.

The exact number of fatalities has not yet been released.

A66 closed as investigators examine crash scene

The A66 has been closed in both directions between Normanby Road and Church Lane while specialist officers examine the scene.

Police said the closure is expected to remain in place for some time as forensic and collision investigations continue. Drivers have been asked to avoid the area and use alternative routes.

A significant emergency presence remained at the scene Saturday morning, with police, ambulance crews and other emergency services involved in the response.

Authorities have not yet released information about what caused the collision, whether anyone was arrested or whether the police vehicle was responding to an emergency call.

Cleveland Police has also asked people not to speculate about the circumstances or identities of the victims while relatives are being contacted.

The force is expected to provide further information as the investigation develops.

The crash comes on a section of the A66 that carries traffic through the industrial and urban areas around Middlesbrough, Redcar and the wider Teesside region. The road has previously been the scene of serious collisions, including incidents involving police vehicles.