🚨 HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE FILL THE STREETS OF MIDDLESBROUGH FOR THE FIRST FUNERAL OF THE A66 CR-ASH VI-CTIM — SCHOOLS CLOSE EARLY OVER A CONCERN INVOLVING OFF-ROAD VEHICLES…
HUNDREDS of people gathered in Middlesbrough for the funeral of an A66 “joyrider” – shutting schools and roads amid fears of disorder.
Jakub Matusiak, 23, was one of five travelling the wrong way down the A66 when their car collided with a cop vehicle on August 22.
The coffin had ‘son’ engraved on the top and was covered with orange and white flowersCredit: PA
Hundreds of people lined the streets for the funeral
Some mourners were seen wearing masksCredit: PA
People dressed in orange and black for a procession ahead of the funeral ceremoniesCredit: PA
Schools in the area said they “felt they had no option but to close early” amid fears of disruption from the funeral.
Several schools, as well as a medical centre, announced that they will be closing early due to the disruption expected from the funeral, which took place at St John the Evangelist Church.
The coffin had “son” engraved on the top and was covered with orange and white flowers.
The road outside the church was blocked by the council, but there was no visible police presence.
The procession was orange and black themedCredit: PA
Today was the first funeral for one of those who died in the A66 tragedyCredit: PA
The coffin of Jakob Matusiak was seen being carried into St John’s ChurchCredit: PA
Jakub Matusiak, 23, died in the A66 crashCredit: Facebook/Jakub Hewitt
Earlier, Cleveland Police said potential traffic disruption and delays were expected from 3pm to 5pm as the funeral went ahead.
It comes after a rowdy memorial was held for Matusiak on August 24, during which balaclava-clad mourners performed wheelies and shot flares.
A gang of around 20 masked youths on scooters, off-road bikes and quad bikes roared around a field in South Bank, near Middlesbrough, in honour of Matusiak, who himself had convictions for motoring offences.
Hundreds of orange balloons – chosen because it was his favourite colour – were released into the sky amid cheers from the crowd.
At a twisted vigil for Robert Cahill, 23 – another one of the A66 crash victims – motors were burned to a crisp in a field.
Cahill’s friends paid tribute to him by skidding the cars around a farmer’s field and churning up the ground before setting the motors alight. It is not clear who the cars belonged to.
Masked youths set off flares and released balloons in memory of JakubCredit: Supplied
Hooded youths burned motors at a vigil for another A66 victim, Robert Cahill
MP Kate Dearden described the scenes as “absolutely horrendous.”
There were fears of a similar turnout at the service for Matusiak, with the town described as being on “lockdown” on the morning of the funeral and extra cops lining the streets.
In stark contrast, devastated colleagues of the two officers killed in the crash bowed their heads for a poignant minute’s silence in tribute to the fallen PCs.
Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott said kids should not be kept out of classrooms by the funeral and called on Education Secretary Lucy Powell to “ensure that this does not impact on the honest and decent pupils, parents and teachers”.
Credit: @LauraTrottMP/X
Football fans paid their respects to the two police officers killed in the horror wrong-way crashCredit: Reuters
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council leader Alec Brown said it is “awful” that children’s education is being disrupted and said any dangerous riding, reckless driving, or anti-social behaviour is “not acceptable”.
A spokesperson for the council said the decision to close schools early followed discussions between local headteachers and the authority over anticipated traffic and transport disruption.
They said 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”.
The shocking A66 smash saw a Volkswagen Passat crash into a cop car while driving in the wrong direction, killing PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38.
The five young men in the Passat were Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Jakub Matusiak, 23, and Makai Saddington, 18.
The A66 smash has sparked a wave of gang violence in Middlesbrough, with 200 specialist cops being drafted in to restore order.
Emergency services at the scene on the A66 in South BankCredit: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
Flares were released by people at a previous vigilCredit: Supplied
The fallout saw a gangland feud which had been bubbling up for months burst out into the open.
Sources say homes have been rammed for months as part of a tit-for-tat campaign involving rival gangs feuding over “drugs and money“.
Local MP Andy McDonald previously said residents feel “trapped in their own homes” and don’t feel safe enough to go to the shops.
South Bank Primary School said it would be closing at 12pm ahead of the funeral “to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our pupils”.
Masked bikers honked their horns as the cars burned at a balloon release for Cahill
Five cars burned at a vigil for Cahill
In a message posted on social media, head teacher Tammy Cooper said: “A funeral is being held locally at St John’s Church on Normanby Road that day and we are expecting large numbers of people in the area which will inevitably cause congestion and transport disruption in the immediate area.
“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.”
She 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.
In a letter to parents, Mark Robinson, principal of Outwood Academy in Normanby, said the school would also close from midday after discussions between local headteachers and the council.
Cllr Brown said he “fully understands that funerals are deeply personal occasions, and I respect the right of families to grieve” but is “deeply concerned” over the school closures.
A number of burnt out cars still smoking in the field after a vigil
“Our children should be able to attend school safely and without their education being affected by events happening elsewhere,” he said.
“Parents should not be put in the position of having to make alternative arrangements for their children because schools are worried about road disruption or potentially dangerous behaviour, and potentially losing income for work.
“I think it is awful that our children’s education is being disrupted because of concerns about what might happen on our roads.
“If anyone intends to use tomorrow as an excuse for dangerous riding, reckless driving, road blockages or antisocial behaviour, my message is clear: that is not acceptable.
“Our children, teachers and families should not have to bear the consequences.
“As leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, I am seeking assurances that everything possible is being done to keep our communities safe and minimise disruption.
“We can show compassion for grieving families while still being absolutely firm about protecting our children, our roads and our communities.”
She added: “I have been informed that numerous schools in the area will close early – citing ‘transport disruption’ – due to commemorations for those who were not serving in the line of duty on 22 August.
“I do not think we should support this.”
Stockton West MP Matt Vickers added: “Schools should never be forced to close because a safe journey home cannot be guaranteed. Cleveland Police must be given the officers and fair funding it needs to keep our communities safe.
“The scheduled funeral should be able to take place without disrupting children’s education. Schools should never be put in a position where closing their doors is considered necessary to protect pupils, staff and families.”
SOURCE: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/40266415/middlesbrough-schools-shut-a66-funeral-thugs/