Two men missing for days found dead inside car after Lancashire crash

The bodies of two men who had been missing for over a week have been found in a car following a crash in Lancashire. William Hutchinson, 31, and Stuart Tallis, 27, had been reported missing separately from their homes in Preston.

Both men were last seen on Wednesday, June 24. William was last seen in the early hours at an address on Hull Street in Preston and was believed to have left the area in a blue Peugeot 106. Stuart Tallis was last seen around 1.30am in the Fishwick View area of Preston and was reported missing on June 27. Police had not previously indicated the pair were together, though officers had released CCTV footage showing William's Peugeot 106 being driven along the A584 near Preston.

In a tragic update issued on Sunday, July 5, Lancashire Police confirmed that the vehicle had been found hidden in thick undergrowth off the westbound carriageway of the A584 Preston New Road close to its junction with the A583 Blackpool Road at Newton with Clifton. The discovery was made shortly after 12pm on July 4 by specialist search officers.

Two deceased males were found inside the vehicle. Whilst formal identification is yet to take place, Lancashire Police said they believe they have found William and Stuart. Their families have been notified and are receiving support from specially trained officers.

As part of the ongoing investigation, Lancashire Police are appealing for any witnesses who saw the blue Peugeot 106 on the A584 Preston New Road in the minutes prior to 5.30am on June 24, when they believe the car left the carriageway. Motorists are urged to check their dashcam footage.

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." He added that officers are working to establish the full circumstances which led to the collision.