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

Bodies of two missing men were found in a car hidden in thick undergrowth near the A584 Preston New Road in Lancashire, marking a grim conclusion to a search that had spanned over a week. The men, identified as William Hutchinson, 31, and Stuart Tallis, 27, were separately reported missing on June 24, 2026. Their disappearance sparked widespread concern within the local community and prompted an extensive search effort by Lancashire Police. On July 5, 2026, specialist search officers located the pair inside a blue Peugeot 106 that had been concealed beneath dense vegetation along the westbound carriageway of the A584, near its junction with the A583 Blackpool Road at Newton-with-Clifton.

The discovery came nearly a week after both men were reported missing. William Hutchinson was last seen in the early hours of June 24 in Preston, where he was believed to have departed the area in a blue Peugeot 106. Stuart Tallis, meanwhile, was last spotted in the Fishwick View area of Preston around 1:30 a.m. on the same date and was officially reported missing three days later. Despite numerous efforts by police and volunteers, neither man was found until the tragic discovery on July 5. The location of the car, partially obscured by undergrowth, suggests a deliberate attempt to conceal it, raising questions about the nature of the incident.

Sergeant Martin Wilcock, representing the Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU), expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and emphasized the emotional toll on the families of the victims. He stated that while formal identification has not yet taken place, the police believe the bodies found in the car belong to the two missing men. The families have been notified of the development and are receiving support from specially trained officers. Wilcock acknowledged the tireless efforts of his colleagues during the search and reiterated the need for further assistance in uncovering the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

The police are currently seeking witnesses who might have seen the blue Peugeot 106 on the A584 Preston New Road shortly before 5:30 a.m. on June 24, when they suspect the car left the carriageway. Additionally, they are urging motorists and individuals with access to CCTV or dashcam footage from the area during that timeframe to come forward with any relevant information. This appeal underscores the critical importance of public cooperation in solving such cases, especially when the evidence points toward a potential collision or other form of accident.

The case highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement in locating missing persons, particularly when the circumstances involve vehicles and remote locations. The discovery of the car in thick undergrowth raises concerns about the possibility of foul play or a severe accident. While the exact cause of the incident remains under investigation, the police have confirmed that the focus is now on determining how the collision occurred and whether there were any contributing factors that could have led to the tragedy.

Moving forward, Lancashire Police will continue to work closely with the families of the victims, providing emotional and logistical support during this difficult period. The ongoing investigation into the incident will likely involve forensic analysis of the vehicle, examination of any available surveillance footage, and interviews with potential witnesses. As the probe progresses, the hope is that the truth behind the deaths of William Hutchinson and Stuart Tallis will emerge, offering closure to their loved ones and potentially preventing similar incidents in the future.