By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-09-03 19:45:40 | Updated at 2026-09-03 20:28:15
1 hour ago
Several schools in the Middlesbrough area will close early tomorrow over "safety fears", as mourners gather for the funeral of one of five young men killed in a devastating crash on the A66.
Four schools are expected to shut at lunchtime as large crowds are anticipated in South Bank, with local authorities warning the funeral could lead to significant congestion and disruption to transport.
The service is understood to be for Jakub Matusiak, 23, known as Jacob, who died alongside four other young men when a Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong way along the A66 collided head-on with a marked police vehicle.
Mr Matusiak was pronounced dead at the scene along with Cole Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and Michael Cahill, 23.
The two police officers in the marked vehicle, PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, were also killed, bringing the total number of fatalities from the collision to seven.
The funeral is expected to attract large numbers of mourners to Normanby Road in South Bank, including motorbike and quad-bike riders.
The anticipated turnout has prompted schools and council officials to make alternative arrangements for pupils travelling home.
South Bank Primary School will close at 12pm on Friday, with head teacher Tammy Cooper saying the decision was taken to protect the "safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff".
The fatal crash claimed the lives of seven, including two police officers
In a message to families, Ms Cooper said the funeral at St John’s Church on Normanby Road was expected to bring substantial numbers of people into the area.
She warned the gathering would inevitably affect traffic and transport in the immediate vicinity.
The school said the early closure followed careful consideration of the potential impact on pupils, families and staff as they left the site at the end of the school day.
Ms Cooper also acknowledged the funeral could be upsetting for some children and said the school's pastoral team would be available to provide support to pupils who felt anxious.
Outwood Academy in Normanby will also close from midday.
Principal Mark Robinson told parents the decision followed discussions between local headteachers and the council.
Redcar and Cleveland Council confirmed several schools in the South Bank area would finish earlier than usual because of the expected traffic problems.
The authority said schools had worked with transport providers to consider arrangements for pupils, including those who use home-to-school transport.
Jakub Matusiak was among the five killed in the Volkswagen Passat
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Officials acknowledged the decision could inconvenience parents and carers, but said it had been made after assessing the likely impact and safe departure of pupils, families and staff.
Tomorrow's funeral follows a vigil held for Mr Cahill last week in Haswell, County Durham, which attracted criticism from MPs and police after several vehicles were set alight.
The latest funeral is expected to be a significant gathering as relatives, friends and members of the wider community pay their respects to Mr Matusiak.
