A man has been arrested following a reported disturbance at the funeral of teenager Cole Worthy, one of five young men killed in a devastating A66 crash that also claimed the lives of two police officers.

Police were called to Teesside Crematorium on Wednesday after reports of disruption during the service for the 17-year-old.

A 39-year-old man was detained on suspicion of assault and taken into police custody, according to Cleveland Police.

Authorities said the funeral was able to continue after officers responded to the incident.

Police Called During Emotional Service

The funeral for Cole Worthy was being held at Teesside Crematorium when officers received reports of a disturbance inside the venue.

Superintendent John Wrintmore of Cleveland Police said officers attended shortly after midday following reports of an incident during the ceremony.

He confirmed that a man had been arrested and that police remained in the area to provide reassurance.

The service later resumed, allowing family and friends to say their final farewells to the teenager.

Cole was remembered by loved ones as a much-loved son, brother, grandson, nephew and friend.

A family tribute described him as “our beautiful boy” and said he would be remembered forever by those who knew him.

Teenager Was One of Seven People Killed in A66 Collision

Cole Worthy died on August 22 after a Volkswagen Passat travelling on the wrong side of the A66 collided head-on with a marked police vehicle.

The crash resulted in the deaths of seven people.

Five young men travelling in the Passat were killed:

• Cole Robert Worthy, 17
• Theo Rae, 17
• Michael Robert Cahill, 23
• Jakub Matusiak, 23
• Makai Saddington, 18

Two police officers also died in the collision:

• PC Matthew Blades, 37
• PC Tom Clough, 38

The officers were travelling in a marked patrol car when the crash occurred.

Increased Police Presence After Previous Funeral Concerns

The funeral took place amid heightened police attention following concerns over disorder linked to earlier memorial events for other victims of the crash.

Authorities had already increased their presence in Middlesbrough and surrounding areas, deploying additional specialist officers as tensions rose following the collision.

Cleveland Police previously said the crash was connected to wider concerns involving organised crime and ongoing tensions between rival groups.

The force brought in around 200 specialist officers, including armed police, from other northern forces in an effort to maintain public safety and prevent further disorder.

Previous Funerals Drew Large Crowds

Earlier funerals for other victims also attracted significant attention.

The service for Jakub Matusiak, 23, saw large crowds gather in Middlesbrough, with authorities taking precautions because of fears of disruption.

Several schools in the area had previously announced early closures because of concerns about traffic disruption and possible antisocial behaviour connected to funeral gatherings.

Another funeral, for Theo Rae, 17, also attracted large crowds, with police monitoring the event after concerns were raised about possible disorder.

Separate Funeral Held for Fallen Officer

The same day as Cole Worthy’s funeral, hundreds of police officers gathered in Hartlepool to remember PC Matthew Blades.

The 37-year-old armed response officer was described by colleagues as a dedicated officer, loving father and valued member of the community.

Officers from forces across the UK attended the service to pay tribute to him.

PC Tom Clough, the second officer killed in the collision, was also due to be honoured at a separate funeral.

Community Left Grieving After A66 Tragedy

The crash has left families, friends, police colleagues and the wider Middlesbrough community mourning.

While the circumstances surrounding the collision have generated significant public discussion, each funeral has also highlighted the personal loss suffered by those closest to the victims.

For Cole Worthy’s family, the focus remained on remembering a teenager whose life ended far too soon.

Despite the disruption reported during the service, police confirmed that the funeral was completed and that mourners were able to pay their respects.

The investigation into events connected to the wider aftermath of the A66 crash continues, with authorities urging the public to avoid behaviour that could create further tension or distress for grieving families.