School closures for A66 crash funeral condemned as 'wrong'

Several schools in Middlesbrough are set to close early on Friday due to expected “transport disruption” ahead of the A66 crash funeral for Jakub Matusiak, 23. The fatal crash occurred on 22 August after a Volkswagen Passat pursued by police was driven the wrong way on the dual carriageway and collided with a marked armed response vehicle. The deaths included officers Pc Matthew Blades, 37, and Pc Tom Clough, 38, along with Matusiak and four other men aged 17 to 23. The funeral is believed to be for Matusiak. Four schools will shut at lunchtime, including South Bank Primary School at 12pm, as leaders cited anticipated congestion in the South Bank area. Shadow education secretary Laura Trott criticized the decision as “wrong.” Outwood Academy will close from midday after consultation with local headteachers and the council. The council said the closures aim to reduce impact on home-to-school transport and families, and noted pastoral support is available for pupils who may feel upset or anxious.