The bodies of two men separately reported missing more than a week ago have been found inside a crashed car. William Hutchinson, 31, and Stuart Tallis, 27, had each been reported missing independently, with both men last spotted in the early hours of Wednesday, June 24.
Discovery of the Vehicle
Authorities had not previously suggested any connection between the two men. Over the weekend, police released CCTV footage of William's Peugeot 106 travelling along the A584 near Preston. Officers have now confirmed the vehicle has been found concealed by undergrowth off the westbound carriageway of the A584 near its junction with the A583 Blackpool Road at Newton with Clifton, Lancashire, reports Lancs Live.
In a statement, Lancashire Police said: "We have an extremely sad update to bring you in our search for two men who had separately been reported missing from their homes in Preston and whom we had asked for your help in locating."
Timeline of Events
William Hutchinson, 31, was last seen in the early hours of Wednesday, 24th June, at an address on Hull Street in Preston. He was believed to have left the area in a blue Peugeot 106. Stuart Tallis, 27, was last seen in the Fishwick View area of Preston around 1.30am on 24th June, and he was reported missing on 27th June.
Enquiries led officers to believe William and Stuart may have been together and officers were actively carrying out enquiries to find them. As a result of these enquiries, shortly after 12pm yesterday (4th July) William's blue Peugeot 106 was found by specialist search officers, hidden from view, 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.
Confirmation of Deaths
Sadly, two deceased males were found inside the vehicle. Whilst formal identification is yet to take place, we believe we have found William and Stuart. Their loved ones are aware of the extremely upsetting development and our thoughts are with them at this distressing time. They are being supported by specially-trained officers.
As part of our ongoing investigation, we are now appealing for any witnesses who saw a blue Peugeot 106 on the A584 Preston New Road in the minutes prior to 5.30am on 24th June to make contact with the police as soon as possible. We believe this is the time the Peugeot left the carriageway. We would also ask motorists travelling in that area around that time to check their dashcam footage to see if they have captured anything which could assist our investigation.
Police Appeal
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."
"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."
Anyone with information is urged to email SCIU@lancashire.police.uk or call 101, quoting log 613 of 4th July 2026.
