Bodies of missing Preston men, 27 and 31, found in car buried in undergrowth after crash

William Hutchinson, 31, and Stuart Tallis, 27, were last seen in Preston on June 24 and were reported missing separately. Their bodies were found in a car buried in undergrowth

Eliana Nunes News Reporter and Abigail Hunt Content Editor

15:29, 05 Jul 2026

Stuart Tallis, 27(Image: Lancashire Police)

The bodies of two missing men have been discovered in a car concealed in undergrowth following a crash off the A584 in Lancashire.

William Hutchinson, 31, and Stuart Tallis, 27, were both last seen in Preston on June 24, according to Lancashire Police. After they were reported missing separately, investigations led officers to believe that William and Stuart may have been together.

On Saturday, specialist search officers located William's blue Peugeot 106, hidden from sight, in dense undergrowth off the westbound carriageway of the A584 Preston New Road, near its junction with the A583 Blackpool Road at Newton with Clifton.

[William Hutchinson, 31]

William Hutchinson, 31(Image: Lancashire Police)

"Sadly, two deceased males were found inside the vehicle. While formal identification is yet to take place, we believe we have found William and Stuart," the force stated.

Their next-of-kin have been notified and are receiving support from specially-trained officers, reports the Mirror.

Officers are calling for any witnesses who saw a blue Peugeot 106 on the A584 Preston New Road in the minutes leading up to 5.30am on June 24 - the time police believe the Peugeot left the carriageway - to step forward.

Sgt Martin Wilcock, from the force's Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU), 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 ring 101 or email SCIU@lancashire. police.uk, quoting log 613 of July 4, 2026.

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