Two missing men have been found dead in a car that was hidden by undergrowth after they apparently swerved off the road ten days ago. William Hutchinson, 31, and Stuart Tallis, 27, were last seen in the early hours of Wednesday, June 24. CCTV of William’s blue Peugeot 106 driving along a misty A584 was released by officers looking to trace the car from Preston. Police found both men dead in the hatchback, which had been concealed in thick vegetation off the westbound carriageway.
Police confirm tragic discovery
Lancashire Police issued a statement saying: ‘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. 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 the two men may have been together. Shortly after 12pm on July 4, specialist search officers found William’s blue Peugeot 106 hidden from view in thick undergrowth off the westbound carriageway of the A584 Preston New Road, near its junction with the A583 Blackpool Road at Newton with Clifton. Two deceased males were found inside the vehicle. While formal identification is pending, police believe they have found William and Stuart.
Family support and investigation
Their loved ones have been informed and are being supported by specially-trained officers. Lancashire Police are appealing for any witnesses who saw a blue Peugeot 106 on the A584 Preston New Road in the minutes prior to 5.30am on June 24, the time they believe the car left the carriageway. They also ask motorists travelling in that area around that time 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. 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.’
