The bodies of two men who were separately reported missing have been found, Lancashire Police said on Sunday.
William Hutchinson, 31, and Stuart Tallis, 27, were found by specialist search officers inside a car hidden from view and covered with “thick undergrowth”.
The discovery was made off the westbound carriageway of the A584 Preston New Road, close to its junction with the A583 Blackpool Road at Newton with Clifton.
While formal identification is yet to take place, Lancashire Police believe that the bodies belong to the men who were both reported missing last month.
Mr Hutchinson was last seen in the early hours of the morning on 24 June in Preston and is believed to have left the area in a blue Peugeot 106.
Mr Tallis was last seen in the Fishwick View area of Preston around 1.30am on the same day and was reported missing three days later on 27 June.
Sgt Martin Wilcock, from the force’s serious collision investigation unit, said: “Two men have lost their lives in what appears to be extremely tragic circumstances. 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. 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.”
Police said that the men’s 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 Lancashire Police’s ongoing investigation, the force 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,” it said in a statement. “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.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Lancashire Police by email on [email protected] or to call 101 and quote log 613 of 4th July 2026.
