Cumbria Schools Close Early for Funeral of A66 Crash Victim Steven Bland

Schools across Cumbria are scheduled to close early today to accommodate attendees of the funeral for Steven Bland, aged 22, one of five individuals who died in a collision on the A66. The incident, involving a Nissan Almera and a marked police vehicle, occurred near the Fitz Roundabout on 19 May.

Mr Bland, from the region, was a passenger in the Nissan. His funeral is to be held at Carlisle Cathedral this afternoon, with his burial following at Stanwix Cemetery. The educational institutions are adjusting their schedules to facilitate community attendance at the service.

The other four young men who died in the collision were identified as Ross Hills, 20, from Penrith; Paul Darling, 19, from Carlisle; and the two other passengers, who have not been publicly named. Two serving police officers, who were in the other vehicle, sustained serious injuries in the crash. One officer was airlifted to Preston Hospital, and the other was taken to Cumberland Infirmary.

An investigation into the circumstances of the collision is ongoing, conducted independently by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The IOPC's mandate includes scrutinising all police involvement in incidents resulting in death or serious injury, to ensure accountability and transparency in such cases.