Father of Teen Killed in A66 Crash Charged After Son’s Funeral Descends Into Chaos
Gye Worthy has been charged with assault after disorder broke out at the funeral for his sonCredit: BackGrid
A grieving father has been charged after his 17-year-old son’s funeral was disrupted by an alleged confrontation with a mourner, bringing police to a ceremony already overshadowed by the devastating A66 crash that claimed seven lives.
Gye Worthy, 39, was arrested following a disturbance during the funeral of his son, Cole Worthy, at Teesside Crematorium in Middlesbrough. Police later charged him with common assault, a public-order offence and obstructing officers.
The extraordinary scenes unfolded as relatives and friends gathered to say goodbye to Cole, one of five young men who died alongside two police officers in the August 22 collision.
Comments during the service allegedly sparked the disturbance
Close friends Theo Rae (left) and Cole Worthy both died in the crashCredit: Facebook/Theo Rae
According to the report, trouble began when Gye allegedly took exception to comments made during the funeral service.
He is accused of assaulting a mourner before obstructing police officers who arrived to deal with the disturbance.
A source close to the family said Cole’s mother, Natalie McConnell, was left “devastated and shocked” by what happened at her son’s funeral.
Gye and Natalie separated several years ago and both now have new partners.
Cleveland Police confirmed that Gye is due to appear before Teesside Magistrates’ Court on October 2.
Cole’s family thanked those who came to say goodbye
The funeral procession of teenager Cole Worthy
Despite the disruption, a friend of Cole’s mother later shared an emotional message thanking those who attended.
The family said seeing so many people who “loved him, cared for him and held him close” meant more than they could express.
“Cole was so loved and today showed us just how far that love reached,” the tribute continued, before saying the teenager would remain in their hearts forever.
Cole’s funeral procession included a horse-drawn hearse, while floral tributes bearing his name accompanied the farewell.
Seven people died in the A66 collision
Heavy police presence at Teesside Crematorium, St Bede’s Chapel in Middlesbrough
Cole, 17, died alongside four friends — Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Jakub Matusiak, 23, and Makai Saddington, 18.
Police officers Matthew Blades, 37, and Tom Clough, 38, were also killed.
According to police, the five young men had links to organized crime and were attempting to flee officers when their Volkswagen Passat traveled the wrong way along the A66 and collided with the police vehicle.
Authorities have not suggested that Gye Worthy himself has links to organized crime.
Another disturbing incident had happened shortly before the crash
Cole Worthy’s funeral took place at St Bede’s Chapel in Middlesbrough
The tragedy came amid heightened tensions in the Middlesbrough area.
Gye’s £200,000 semi-detached home had been rammed by a vehicle on August 22, shortly before the crash that killed his son and six others.
His name was seen on a floral arrangement
Police subsequently deployed an additional 200 specialist officers from six northern forces to Middlesbrough amid concerns about escalating violence.
Against that already troubled backdrop, Cole’s funeral was intended to provide his family with an opportunity to say goodbye.
Instead, an alleged confrontation inside the service ended with his father facing criminal charges — while Cole’s mother was left dealing with another deeply upsetting moment on an already painful day.