Great North Air Ambulance has issued a statement.

On its Facebook page, the service writes: "In the early hours of yesterday morning, our critical care team responded to an incident on the A66 near South Bank. As many of you may already know, this has tragically resulted in a number of fatalities, including two fellow emergency service colleagues from Cleveland Police."

It adds that the team's "thoughts and heartfelt condolences, from everyone at the Great North Air Ambulance Service, are with the families and loved ones of those who have been affected.

"The impact of this devastating incident will be felt across our communities and among all those who responded and supported the emergency response."

Close to the scene of tributes crash, memorials have appeared for the victims, with balloons hung from signposts and flowers laid nearby.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

More details have emerged about the car crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough that killed seven people.

Here's what we know:

• Seven people died - including two Cleveland Police officers, PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, and five others, understood to be males in their late teens to early 20s

• The crash happened on the A66 in South Bank, near Middlesbrough on Teesside, at about 03:39 BST on Saturday
• The collision involved a police vehicle and a Volkswagen Passat that was travelling in the wrong direction
• The Independent Office for Police Conduct said earlier that officers "sighted a suspicious vehicle and a pursuit began" - but the BBC understands that the police car hit in the crash was not part of the pursuit

What we don't know:

• The full circumstances that led to the collision
• The identities of the five people in the Volkswagen Passat

A statement has come through from the North East Ambulance Service, which responded to yesterday's crash.

"Our thoughts are with the loved ones of those who lost their lives in yesterday’s tragic incident," the service says."We extend our condolences to our colleagues at Cleveland Police.

"We also recognise the impact this has had on our own crews who attended the scene and who work alongside colleagues from Cleveland Police and other partner agencies every day."

Image source, PA Media

We've been hearing tributes from different police forces to PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, who died in the car crash.

On Saturday, Chief Constable Victoria Fuller, who was clearly emotional as she read out a statement in front of cameras, described them as "brave officers protecting our communities and serving our residents who didn't return home to their families at the end of their shift".

The Metropolitan Police says the loss of the two officers will be “acutely felt across the policing family, particularly by those who had the privilege of serving alongside both officers”.

Sussex Police Chief Constable Jo Shiner also says “the impact of this tragedy will be felt by many across the country”, while Nicola Marfleet, a director at the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is investigating the incident, says: "This is a tragic incident, and my thoughts are with family and friends and all those affected, including the emergency services in attendance".

Philippa Goymer
Reporting from the scene, on Teesside

The community here is deeply shocked and saddened by the events of yesterday morning.

Cleveland Police is a relatively small force in the north-east of England.

I'm here at the police cordon at the A66 where the crash happened in the early hours of Saturday - the road is still closed and is expected to remain closed for some time.

We've heard that there will be a book of condolences opened, where that will be we don't yet know.

We understand that the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) will confirm the names of the five people that were travelling in the Passat at some point today.

We understand that they were all young men in their late teens to early 20s.

Jack Grey
Live reporter

The police watchdog is continuing to investigate a crash involving a Volkswagen Passat and marked police car that saw all seven occupants of both cars killed.

Two of those that were killed in the crash - on the A66 near Middlesbrough in the early hours of Saturday morning - were Cleveland Police officers Matthew Blades, 37, and 38-year-old Tom Clough.

All five occupants in the Passat, said to be in their late teens to early 20s, were also killed. Their identities have not yet been officially confirmed.

The BBC understands a police pursuit of the car had ended before the crash, which police say occurred while the Passat was driving the wrong way down the A66.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) says it is investigating the incident following a mandatory referral from Cleveland Police.

Katie Williams
Live reporter

Image source, PA Media

Seven people are dead after a Volkswagen Passat travelling in the wrong direction collided with a police vehicle on the A66 near Middlesbrough on Saturday morning.

Two police officers were killed - PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38 - along with five others understood to be males in their late teens.

Security camera footage appears to show a police chase nearby minutes before the fatal crash at 03:39 BST, but the BBC understands that Blades and Clough were not involved and just happened to be in the area, while the pursuit had been abandoned before the crash.

"These were brave officers protecting our communities," Cleveland Chief Constable Victoria Fuller said earlier. She asked people to avoid speculation while the Independent Office for Police Conduct carries out an investigation.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham says he is "devastated" by the deaths and that his thoughts are with the loved ones of everyone involved.

We're wrapping up our live coverage now, you can read more in our news story here.

Peter Harris
Reporting from Middlesbrough

It was an emotional statement earlier from Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller.

She’s been at the force for some time and also at the neighbouring Durham force, and will know the officers here very well.

It is clearly the worst duty imaginable for a chief constable to have to speak publicly about the death on duty of her officers.

Earlier, she described them as “brave officers protecting our communities and serving our residents who didn't return home to their families at the end of their shift”.

This is a tragedy which also involved five members of the public.

A bouquet of flowers has been left outside Cleveland Police headquarters after two officers were killed in this morning's fatal collision.

Chief Constable Victoria Fuller was visibly emotional while delivering a statement there earlier, naming the officers as PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough.

Police charities and memorials have responded to the crash, sharing condolences on social media after two officers were killed.

UK Police Memorial, which honours those who have dedicated their lives to policing, says "these brave officers served their community without fear or favour", adding that their "courage, dedication and ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten".

Care Of Police Survivors (COPS),the charity supporting families of officers who have died on duty, says it is "devastated to hear the tragic news".

Police Memorial Trust, which places memorials to fallen officers, sends its "sincere condolences" to loved ones.

Image source, PA Media

More details have emerged about the car crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough that killed seven people.

Here's what we know:

• Seven people died - including two Cleveland Police officers, PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, and five others, understood to be males in their late teens
• All the occupants of both vehicles were pronounced dead at the scene
• The crash happened on the A66 in South Bank, near Middlesbrough on Teesside, at about 03:39 BST on Saturday
• The collision involved a police vehicle and a Volkswagen Passat that was travelling in the wrong direction
• The Independent Office for Police Conduct said earlier that officers "sighted a suspicious vehicle and a pursuit began" - but the BBC understands that the police car hit in the crash was not part of the pursuit and just happened to be in the area

What we don't know:

• The full circumstances that led to the collision
• The identities of the five people in the Volkswagen Passat

Security camera footage appears to show several police vehicles chasing a car just moments before this morning’s fatal collision.

The clip is thought to have been filmed on Lime Road in Middlesbrough at 03:36 BST.

Around three minutes later, a Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong way on the A66 nearby collided with a marked police vehicle. PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough are confirmed to have died in the crash, along with the five occupants of the Volkswagen.

The BBC understands the officers had not been part of the pursuit, which was abandoned before the crash, and just happened to be in the area.

Image source, Getty Images

More political reaction now, with Andy McDonald, MP for Middlesbrough & Thornaby East - pictured left above - describing the fatal A66 crash as "truly tragic".

"Cleveland Police are focussed on supporting the families of the bereaved as well as dealing with their own grief," the Labour MP writes on X.

"They have my unequivocal support & I amplify their plea to refrain from speculation."

While Jonathan Brash, MP for Hartlepool - pictured right above - writes: "I am deeply saddened by the tragic events on the A66 in the early hours of this morning."

The fellow Labour MP says the families, loved ones and colleagues of those who have died are now facing "unimaginable grief".

Brash adds: "At this painful time, it is vital that we avoid speculation and show decency, sensitivity and respect for all those who are grieving."

Sarah Jones, minister for police and crime, says she has spoken to Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller after the fatal car crash.

"We ask so much of our officers," Jones writes on social media.

"My thoughts are with all those who have lost their lives - and their loved ones, friends and colleagues."

Philippa Goymer
BBC North East and Cumbria, reporting from Middlesbrough

The occupants of the Volkswagen Passat which collided with the police vehicle were all in their late teens, the BBC understands.

They are also believed to be male.

We've just heard from Cleveland's Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey on Radio 4's PM programme.

It's "obviously a horrendous incident" and "very upsetting for everyone involved", he says, adding that his "heart goes out" to the families and colleagues of the officers, as well as the loved ones of the people in the Volkswagen Passat.

Storey "can't comment on the operational aspect of what's happened", and says it's "best not to speculate at this point".

He describes communities in the region as "really close knit" and says "everyone's heartbroken".

• It follows an earlier statement, in which Storey said there were "few words" that could bring comfort to the families of those who died

The mayor of Tees Valley Ben Houchen describes the crash on the A66 as “a horrible and tragic incident”, adding “our police officers are heroes”.

“My thoughts are with those affected, their families and the emergency services who attended the scene," he tells the Press Association.

“Our police officers are heroes who put everything on the line to protect us and I know all of Teesside will want to pay tribute to the officers and other emergency service workers involved for the bravery they have shown in responding to this incident.”

In a statement released by Cleveland Police following the media briefing, the force says the two officers killed were both in their late 30s.

It says PC Matthew Blades was 37, while PC Tom Clough was 38 years old.

Image source, PA Media

Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller addressed the media a little while ago, where she named the two police officers killed in the car crash on the A66 this morning.

Here's what she said:

• The two police officers killed were PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, Chief Constable Fuller described them as "brave officers protecting our communities"
• The collision involved a Volkswagen Passat "travelling the wrong way down the A66", which collided with a marked police vehicle
• Formal identification of the five others killed has now taken place, she said
• The matter is being referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)

Fuller urged the public to respect the privacy of the families and avoid speculation while the investigation is ongoing.