Tragedy as missing men discovered dead in thick undergrowth

The bodies of two men reported missing more than a week ago have been discovered in a crashed vehicle concealed within thick undergrowth beside the A584 in Lancashire.

William Hutchinson, 31, and Stuart Tallis, 27, both from Preston, were last seen in the early hours of Wednesday 24 June. They were reported missing separately by their families, and police had not initially indicated that the two men were acquainted. However, following further enquiries, officers determined that William and Stuart may have been together.

Specialist search officers found the bodies at noon on Saturday inside William's blue Peugeot 106, which was discovered off the A584 Preston New Road in Newton-with-Clifton, hidden from view in thick undergrowth near the junction with the A583 Blackpool Road. Police believe the vehicle left the westbound carriageway at approximately 5.30am on 24 June.

"Sadly two deceased males were found inside the vehicle," Lancashire Police said in a statement. "Whilst formal identification is yet to take place we believe we have found William and Stuart." Both families have been informed and are receiving support from specially trained officers.

Sergeant Martin Wilcock from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: "Two men have lost their lives in what appears to be extremely tragic circumstances and my thoughts are very much with their loved ones at this sad time. I know a number of my colleagues were involved in the searches for William and Stuart and I know they were hoping for a happier conclusion."

Wilcock added: "My job now is to establish the full circumstances which led to the collision and that is why I would ask any witnesses or anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage which could help the investigation to make contact with my officers."

Police are appealing for witnesses who saw the blue Peugeot 106 on the A584 Preston New Road in the minutes prior to 5.30am on 24 June. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or email [email protected], quoting log 613 of 4 July 2026.