A heartbreaking end to a week-long search has come as Lancashire Police confirmed that two missing men have been found dead in a crashed car. William Hutchinson, 31, and Stuart Tallis, 27, were discovered by specialist officers in a blue Peugeot 106 off the A584 Preston New Road in Newton with Clifton on Saturday at midday.
The last seen date for Mr Hutchinson was 24 June in Preston, while Mr Tallis went missing three days later from the same city. Although formal identification is yet to be confirmed, police believe the deceased are Mr Hutchinson and Mr Tallis, and their families have been informed of the 'extremely upsetting development'. The vehicle was located hidden from view and buried in thick undergrowth off the westbound carriageway of the A584.
Lancashire Police has appealed for witnesses who may have seen the blue Peugeot 106 shortly before it crashed, believed to be around 05:30 BST on 24 June. Drivers who were in the area at that time are being asked to review any dashcam footage they may have, which could provide crucial information regarding the circumstances of the incident.
Sergeant Martin Wilcock described the situation as 'extremely tragic circumstances' and extended his thoughts to the loved ones of the two men. The discovery brings a distressing end to the search for Mr Hutchinson and Mr Tallis, who had been missing for over a week, prompting widespread concern in the community.
The force is relying on public assistance to help piece together the events leading up to the crash. The appeal for witnesses and dashcam footage serves as a poignant reminder of the critical role that members of the public play in supporting police investigations, particularly in cases involving missing persons and road traffic collisions.