Hundreds of police officers, Army veterans and members of the public gathered in Redcar to pay their final respects to PC Tom Clough, 38, who was killed alongside fellow officer PC Matthew Blades in the A66 collision on August 22.

Tom’s funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Gardens featured a solemn ceremonial procession, with mounted officers, police standard bearers and veterans lining the route. His coffin was draped in the Union Flag, with his police helmet placed on top.

Tom had served in the British Army before working with the Civil Nuclear Constabulary and British Transport Police, eventually joining Cleveland Police. Colleagues remembered him as someone who was deeply committed to helping others and described him as a hugely respected officer.

The A66 tragedy claimed seven lives in total after a Volkswagen Pᴀssat travelling on the wrong side of the road collided with the marked police vehicle carrying Tom and Matthew. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision.

One detail from Tom’s farewell has resonated particularly strongly: he had reportedly joked that there would be nobody at his funeral. Instead, hundreds gathered to honor him, with police officers from across the country lowering their flags as his cortege pᴀssed.

The heartbreaking farewell was a powerful reminder of the life Tom gave to public service — and of how deeply his loss has been felt by his colleagues, friends, family and wider community. 💙

Sources:
• BBC News – Police and Army mourn officer killed in crash