• [Daily Mirror Icon]
• News
• UK News
• Lancashire Police

Tragedy as bodies of missing men, 27 and 31, found in car buried in undergrowth

The bodies of William Hutchinson, 31, and Stuart Tallis, 27, have been found in a crashed car off the A584 Preston New Road in Newton-with-Clifton, Lancashire, police said

[0_William-Hutchinson-31-and-Stuart-Tallis-27.jpg]

View Image

Stuart Tallis (left) and William Hutchinson(Image: Lancashire Police)

The bodies of two men reported missing more than a week ago have been found in a crashed car hidden in undergrowth off a Lancashire A-road.

William Hutchinson, 31, and Stuart Tallis, 27, both from Preston, disappeared in the early hours of June 24 and were separately reported missing, Lancashire Police said.

At around midday on Saturday, specialist search officers discovered the bodies of two men inside a blue Peugeot 106 off the A584 Preston New Road in Newton-with-Clifton. Police said the car, which belonged to Mr Hutchinson, was found in "thick undergrowth" and "hidden from view".

"Whilst formal identification is yet to take place, we believe we have found William and Stuart," the force said. Their families have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.

Detectives are now appealing for witnesses, particularly anyone who saw the blue Peugeot 106 on the A584 Preston New Road shortly before 5.30am on June 24, when they believe it left the westbound carriageway. Officers are also asking anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage that could assist the investigation to come forward.

Sergeant 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 asked to call 101 or email SCIU@lancashire.police.uk, quoting log 613 of July 4.

[Daily Mirror Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.