Cole Worthy’s family gathered to say their final goodbye. Then police were suddenly called to the crematorium.
The family of Cole Worthy, 17, had gathered at Teesside Crematorium to say a final goodbye to the teenager — but the emotional service was suddenly disrupted by a police response.

Cole was one of five young men killed in the A66 crash on August 22, a tragedy that also claimed the lives of Cleveland Police officers PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38.

Three weeks later, Cole’s funeral was held in Middlesbrough on Wednesday, September 9.

But at around 12:30 p.m., officers were called to the crematorium after reports of a disturbance during the service.

Cleveland Police confirmed that a 39-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault and taken into custody. The funeral was later able to resume, while officers remained in the area to provide reassurance.

The arrested man was later identified as Gye Worthy, Cole’s father.

Police have since confirmed that Gye Worthy has been charged with common assault, a public-order offence and obstructing police.

He is due to appear before Teesside Magistrates’ Court on October 2.

According to reports, the disturbance allegedly followed comments made during the funeral. However, those allegations have not been tested in court, and Gye Worthy is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The development added another deeply painful moment to a funeral that was supposed to be focused on remembering Cole.

‘A DAY ALREADY FILLED WITH GRIEF
Cole was one of five people travelling in a Volkswagen Passat when it became involved in the fatal A66 collision.

The other young men who died were Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, Michael Robert Cahill, 23, and Jakub Matusiak, 23.

The crash also killed PC Blades and PC Clough, who were travelling in a marked Cleveland Police vehicle.

The tragedy has since led to heightened police activity across Middlesbrough, with additional officers deployed amid concerns about possible disorder and tensions surrounding the deaths.

Cole’s funeral was held on the same day as the funeral of PC Matthew Blades in Hartlepool, where hundreds of police officers gathered to honour the fallen officer.

PC Tom Clough was laid to rest the following day.

ANOTHER CHAPTER IN A TRAGEDY THAT HAS SHOCKED MIDDLESBROUGH
For Cole’s loved ones, the funeral was meant to be a moment of remembrance — a chance to mourn a son, brother, grandson, nephew, boyfriend and friend.

Instead, the service was interrupted by a police response, followed by the arrest and subsequent charging of Cole’s father.

Cole’s death has already left a community grappling with grief, questions and growing tensions.

Now, just days after his funeral, his father is due to appear in court over what happened inside the crematorium.

A farewell that was supposed to mark the end of one painful c