Schools to close early for A66 crash funeral

Four schools have said they will close early on Friday amid safety concerns over a funeral linked to a crash which killed seven people.

It is understood the funeral of Jakub Matusiak, 23, one of five young men killed in the head-on collision with a marked police car on the A66, is due to take place in Middlesbrough.

The crash happened near South Bank on 22 August when a Volkswagen Passat travelled the wrong way on the dual carriageway and hit a police car. Two police officers in the vehicle, PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, were also killed.

Head teachers warned parents large crowds were expected to gather in the South Bank area for the funeral, with traffic disruption likely.

The decision to close the schools was taken following discussions between local head teachers and Redcar and Cleveland Council.

In an open letter, Conservative MP Laura Trott called on Education Secretary Lucy Powell to ensure the schools remain open.

The shadow education secretary also called for sufficient police support to be provided to keep schools in the area safe.

The Department of Education (DofE) has been contacted by the BBC for a response.

Cleveland Police said they were expecting the event to cause traffic disruption and delays, adding it had plans in place to ensure public safety.

South Bank Primary School and Outwood Academy Normanby are among the four schools which have confirmed they will close at lunchtime because of concerns about the impact of the funeral on pupils, staff and families.

Archway Academy in Teesville has confirmed it will close at 11:45 BST and St Margaret Clitherow's Catholic Primary School in South Bank at 12:15.

South Bank Primary School said it was closing early "to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our pupils".

Head teacher Tammy Cooper said large numbers of people were expected in the area for the funeral at St John's Church on Normanby Road.

The school also said some pupils might feel "upset or anxious" about the funeral and that its pastoral team would be available to provide support.

In a letter to parents, Mark Robinson, principal of Outwood Academy Normanby, said the school would also close early following discussions between local headteachers and the council.

Redcar and Cleveland Council said the Mackenzie Thorpe Centre will be closed all day and some SEND children who live in the South Bank area and attend other schools may be collected earlier in the day.

Supt John Wrintmore from Cleveland Police said there was potential for traffic disruption and delays from 15:00 to 17:00 on Friday.

"This will affect areas of South Bank, Normanby Road through Teesville, Ormesby and Marton, and Acklam Road," he said.

"We are working closely with highways departments from the local authority, who are leading on the traffic management for this event, in order to minimise disruption.

"As with any significant gathering, we have plans in place to ensure public safety and security, which is line with our usual process."

A spokesperson for Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council said: "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 cooperation."

The decision comes after a vigil, for one of the young men who died, last week was followed by disorder in Haswell, County Durham, where a number of cars were set on fire.

The incident prompted criticism from MPs and police.

The Volkswagen Passat involved in the collision was being pursued by police until 10 seconds before the crash , according to the police watchdog.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct said the Passat was believed to be using cloned registration plates.

A total of 27 people have been arrested as part of a wider police operation against organised crime, following the crash.

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