Schools to close early for A66 crash funeral amid safety concerns

Schools to close early for A66 crash funeral amid safety concerns Four schools in the South Bank area will dismiss students early on Friday because of safety worries surrounding the funeral of Jakub Matusiak, one of five young men killed in the A66 head‑on collision that also claimed two police officers. The crash occurred on 22 August near South Bank when a Volkswagen Passat travelled the wrong way on the dual carriageway and struck a marked police car. PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, died in the vehicle, while Matusiak, 23, Makai Saddington, Theo Rae, Michael Robert Cahill and Cole Robert Worthy were pronounced dead at the scene. Headteachers warned that large crowds were expected to gather for the funeral at St John’s Church on Normanby Road, raising the prospect of traffic disruption. After discussions with Redcar and Cleveland Council, the decision was taken to release pupils ahead of the usual timetable. South Bank Primary School and Outwood Academy Normanby confirmed they will close at lunchtime. Archway Academy in Teesville said it will finish at 11:45 BST, and St Margaret Clitherow’s Catholic Primary School in South Bank will close at 12:15. South Bank Primary School explained the move was “to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our pupils.” Headteacher Tammy Cooper added that “large numbers of people were expected in the area for the funeral at St John’s Church