Funeral for A66 crash teen to shut colleges early once more over ‘secure transit’ fears
The funeral for Theo Rae, 17, who was one of five killed in the car which went the wrong way down the A66 near Middlesbrough, has prompted schools to close early again today over safety concerns
Theo Rae (left) alongside Cole Worthy, who both died in the A66 crash
Multiple schools in Middlesbrough will close early again today (September 7) as a funeral is held for one of the seven men killed in the wrong way crash on the A66.
Theo Rae, 17, was one of five men in a involved in a fatal collision on August 22, which saw a Volkswagen Passat, driven the wrong way along the dual-carriageway and hit a marked armed response vehicle.
Jakub Matusiak, 23, Cole Worthy, 17, Makai Saddington, 18; and Michael Cahill, 23, were also pronounced dead at the scene. The crash also killed Pc Matthew Blades, 37, and Pc Tom Clough, 38. It will be the second funeral in just days that will see several schools closed after Matusiak was laid to rest last Friday (September 4).
Jakub Matusiak’s funeral was held last week and saw schools close early (Image: Facebook)
Middlesbrough Council confirmed a number of schools had chosen to close with one primary school saying the decision was made to “ensure safe transit home for all our families”.
Rae’s funeral is set to take place this afternoon with schools in the area set to close from times ranging around 12:15pm to 1:15pm. These include Outwood Academy Acklam, Newham Bridge Primary School Acklam Whin Primary School and Green Lane School in Acklam.
Newham Bridge Primary School told parents that the closure was to “ensure safe transit home for all our families”, according to the BBC.
The scene of a fatal crash involving a police car and a Volkswagen Passat on the A66 in South Bank(Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
On Friday afternoon, hundreds of mourners gathered at St John The Evangelist Church in the South Bank area of Middlesbrough, wearing black or orange, which was Matusiak’s favourite colour.
The funeral procession was led by two white horses, with a white Rolls Royce and Lamborghini following. The coffin had “son” engraved on the top and was covered with orange and white flowers.
Normanby Road outside the church was blocked by the council, but there was no visible police presence outside the church. Cleveland Police had feared overpotential traffic disruption and delays last Friday. Four schools shut their doors at lunchtime amid concerns about “congestion and transport disruption”.
The cortege for Jacob Matusiak arrives at St John’s Church, Middlesbrough last week(Image: PA Wire)
A statement from the force later said the funeral passed “without issue” but local schools have still decided to close early again today.
Speaking last Friday, Superintendent John Wrintmore said: “Today’s events have passed without issue and very minimal traffic disruption.
“Our policing operation to ensure public safety will take the same approach next week when more funerals are taking place.
Cars were set on fire at the vigil for Michael Cahill last month
“We will continue to work closely with our partners to minimise disruption in these areas and keep the public safe.
“No schools, services or businesses have been instructed to close, and any decision to do so have been made by individual organisations and their own risk assessments.
“We would like to thank our communities for their continued cooperation and support. Our visible police presence in the area will continue throughout the week to provide reassurance and allow everyone to continue with their daily lives as normal.”
