Four Middlesbrough schools to close early for funeral linked to fatal A66 crash
Four schools in Middlesbrough will let pupils out early on Friday as leaders brace for large crowds and traffic disruption around the funeral of Jakub
Four schools in Middlesbrough will let pupils out early on Friday as leaders brace for large crowds and traffic disruption around the funeral of Jakub Matusiak, one of seven people killed in the A66 crash near South Bank last month. The move follows concerns that the service, due in the town, could put pressure on roads and make the school run harder to manage.
Safety concerns around the funeral
Head teachers told parents they expected many mourners to gather in the South Bank area, with congestion likely around the churches and nearby streets. The schools made the decision after talks with Redcar and Cleveland Council.
South Bank Primary School is set to close at noon. Outwood Academy Normanby will also shut at noon, while Archway Academy in Teesville is due to finish at 11:45 BST. St Margaret Clitherow’s Catholic Primary School in South Bank will close at 12:15.
The funeral is understood to be for Matusiak, 23, one of five young men killed in the crash. The collision happened on 22 August near South Bank when a Volkswagen Passat travelled the wrong way on the A66 dual carriageway and hit a marked police car.
A crash that shook the area
Two police officers died in the impact: PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38. The other deaths brought the total toll to seven, turning the incident into one of the most devastating road crashes the region has faced in years.
For schools nearby, the immediate concern is simple. Safe access. Crowded pavements, blocked junctions and slow-moving traffic can make even a short school journey difficult, especially at pick-up time.
That risk is what prompted the early closures. It also explains why local leaders moved quickly once they saw how many people were likely to attend.
Political pressure builds
The decision has not gone unchallenged. In an open letter, Conservative MP Laura Trott called on Education Secretary Lucy Powell to make sure the schools stay open. The shadow education secretary also said enough police support should be deployed to keep schools in the area safe.
The Department for Education has been contacted for comment. Cleveland Police said they were expecting a significant turnout, adding weight to the warnings from school leaders.
The funeral will now become the next test for a community still dealing with the aftermath of the A66 crash. For families in Middlesbrough, Friday will mean a shortened school day and, in parts of South Bank, a quieter morning than usual. Outside the church, the crowds are expected to tell their own story.
