A TEENAGER who was one of seven killed in a head-on collision with a police car during a pursuit uploaded videos of previous high-speed chases.
Two police officers died in the crash in the early hours of yesterday morning after they hit a Volkswagen Passat which was driving the wrong way on the A66.
Makai Saddington previously posted a video of him involved in a high-speed chase Credit: Facebook/Makai Saddington
Emergency services at the scene on the A66 in South Bank Credit: NNP
PC Matthew Blades, 38, and PC Tom Clough, 37, and the five occupants of the Passat were all declared dead at the scene near Middlesbrough.
One of the youngsters killed in the crash, Makai Saddington, previously posted several videos to TikTok which appear to show him in a high-speed police chase.
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In one video, from months before his death teens can be seen driving through a housing estate at speed while a police car with blue flashing lights follows.
The Audi then peels off onto a grassy playing field in an attempt to lose the chase.
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A tiktok video shows teens filming a police chase Credit: TikTok/@unknownm829
A Facebook tribute to Makai Saddington after he died alongside the other occupants of the car Credit: Facebook
Ring Doorbell footage showing The Passat speeding down Lime Road in Teesville, Middlesbrough, at 3.36am Credit: Supplied
The Passat was driving the wrong way down the A66 when it hit the police car Credit: PA
Another clip features a green Nissan being driven around before it is torched.
Images posted to the account show Saddington and a friend in black balaclavas posing in a car.
This comes just days after five teenagers were killed after driving their car the wrong way down the motorway and ploughing into a family who were on their way to the airport.
Sisters Niamh and Alma Kinsella, both in their 30s, Ella Hendricken, in her 20s, and Alma’s seven-year-old son Yemi remain in hospital in a critical condition after they were hit on the M9 in Ireland.
Teens can be seen driving through a housing estate at speed Credit: TikTok/@unknownm829
The victims of yesterday’s crash have been named locally as Michael Ray, Theo Rae and Cole Worthy but their identities have not been confirmed by police.
Saddington’s aunt has paid tribute to him after it was revealed he was one of the five youths from a cluster of deprived estates in east Middlesbrough killed in the A66 smash.
The 18-year-old was born and raised in Pallister Park, Middlesbrough, brought up by his mother Alisha Morgan.
Saddington’s aunt Sharon Morgan wrote on social media: “Today is a day I never thought I would have to face.
“I’m heartbroken to say that we lost my beloved nephew today, our Makai. There are no words that can truly express the pain of losing someone so young, so loved, and so full of life.
“You brought so much love and happiness into our family, and your memory will stay with us forever. This loss has left a space in our hearts that can never be filled.
“Rest peacefully, my beautiful nephew. You will never be forgotten. Until we meet again, fly high love ya aunty Sharon…
“Keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we try to get through this heartbreaking time, especially our Alisha, his Mam.”
Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller speaking to the media Credit: PA
The crash was at 3.40am yesterday morning Credit: NNP
Locals plan to release balloons in his memory at a park near his home next week.
A mile from the scene of the crash residents of Lime Road were woken at 3.36am by the sound of screeching tyres as the motor took a corner into their narrow street.
Ellie Westerman, 24, said: “The car must have been travelling at between 80 and 100 mph down our narrow street.
“The noise woke me and I shot out of bed, you could feel the vibration in the house as the car went past and the police vehicles followed with their lights and sirens going.
“It was frightening that cars were being driven at that speed through a residential area and it’s tragic people have ended up dying.”
Another resident said: “The screech of tyres woke me up, the car being followed must have taken the corner into our road at a tremendous speed.”
Local resident Neil Hutchinson, 47, said: “The police cars were tearing down the street at half past three with lights flashing and their sirens going.
“You could tell from the noise that they were travelling at high speed.”
The IOPC said it is believed officers spotted a suspicious vehicle and began a pursuit before the car travelled onto the A66 and collided with a police vehicle.
Cleveland Police said the police car was travelling in the correct direction and contained the two serving officers.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was “devastated” to hear of the deaths of two police officers and five members of the public after the horror crash.
He posted on X: “Devastated to hear that two police officers have lost their lives while on duty in Cleveland this morning, as well as five members of the public.“My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of everyone involved, and with everyone at Cleveland Police.
“Thank you to the emergency services responding in incredibly difficult circumstances. I would urge people to avoid speculation at this time.”
