By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-08-28 02:26:04 | Updated at 2026-08-28 04:07:18
2 hours ago
A mob of balaclava-clad youths torched cars, set off fireworks and hoisted smoke bombs in a so-called "tribute" to a man killed in the A66 horror crash that left two police officers dead.
Footage showed attendees performing dangerous car manoeuvres as onlookers wearing face coverings lit blue flares and released balloons in memory of Michael Cahill, 23.
The vigil took place in a horse field near Haswell, County Durham, with animals seen standing at the side as the gathering unfolded.
Youths on bikes could be heard repeatedly revving their engines while cars blared their horns.
Clips of the scenes posted online were captioned: "Rest in peace Micky."
After the crowds left, footage showed five burned-out cars lying on scorched grass as local residents used farm equipment to clear up the mess.
Calls for a mass gathering of vehicles came from Cahill's mother, who urged "bikes, jeeps, cars and quad [bikes]" to gather in her son's memory.
On Thursday morning, she wrote on social media: "Change of plans Michael's balloon release Thursday Peterlee White House opposite on field, come on lads bikes, jeeps, cars, quads give him send off her deserves."
A mob of balaclava-clad youths torched cars, set off fireworks and hoisted smoke bombs as part of a so-called 'tribute'
INSTAGRAM/NATHANFREEMAN.1
Cahill was among five people killed in a Volkswagen Passat which collided head-on with a police car after travelling the wrong way along the A66 near Middlesbrough.
PC Matthew Blades, 38, and PC Tom Clough, 37, were also killed in the collision.
Cahill, Makai Saddington, 18, Theo Rae and Cole Worthy, both 17, and Jakub Matusiak, 23, were killed alongside the officers.
The five men had 37 previous convictions between them, with Cahill the only one without a criminal record.
On Monday, around 200 people had descended on a field in South Bank, near Middlesbrough, on Monday to pay tribute to Matusiak.
Footage showed attendees performing dangerous car manoeuvres as onlookers wearing face coverings lit blue flares
INSTAGRAM/NATHANFREEMAN.1
Cahill was among five people killed in a Volkswagen Passat which collided head-on with a police car after travelling the wrong way
Masked youths raced around the field on scooters and quad bikes as attendees lit orange flares, set off fireworks and released balloons.
The gatherings come as hundreds of extra police officers have been deployed to Middlesbrough amid gang warfare fears in the area.
A seven-year-old girl and her aunt have been killed in a house fire, while a 39-year-old man was stabbed and a house was rammed by an SUV.
Police suspect the incidents are gang-related as feuds escalate, although Cleveland Police has not confirmed whether the violence is linked to the A66 crash.
Valentina Foster, seven, and her aunt Natalie McDonald, 34, were killed in the fire in Birchington Avenue, Grangetown, with two men arrested on suspicion of murder.
The vigil took place in a horse field near Haswell, County Durham
INSTAGRAM/NATHANFREEMAN.1
Valentina Foster, seven, and her aunt Natalie McDonald, 34, were killed in the fire in Birchington Avenue, Grangetown, with two men arrested on suspicion of murder.
Ms McDonald's brother Josh Kirton said: "My sister was not involved with anything to do with gangs, or the A66 crash. That’s what makes this so senseless.
"People think they can do whatever they like. There’s some terrible people in the world and now my sister and Valentina have gone."
More than 200 extra officers have been drafted into the area, with the National Crime Agency also deploying personnel.
Officers and detectives from Northumbria, Durham, South Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Humberside have also been sent to assist Cleveland Police.
Five Labour MPs have warned Policing Minister Sarah Jones that "returning to business as usual will not be enough".
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the Government was providing "all of the support that the authorities need" and described the deaths of the young girl and her aunt as "utterly devastating".
Cleveland Police has made 17 arrests in connection with the fatal A66 crash, with alleged offences ranging from participation in an organised crime group to possession of firearms and drugs.
