Family find missing dad dead in ditch next to M61 after Preston crash went undetected for 28 hours
A man killed in a crash on the M61 in Preston was found dead at the wheel by his family 28 hours after he went missing.
The body of Nadeem Hussain, a dad-of-three from Nelson, was found by family members who launched a frantic search for the 37-year-old after he failed to return home last Friday (March 20).
Concerned for his welfare, they tracked his phone to the M61 near junction 9 at Clayton Brook. At around 2am on Sunday, they discovered Nadeem dead inside his Audi A3, which had collided with trees down a steep embankment before coming to rest out of view of the carriageway.
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Lancashire Police said they believe the crash occurred at around 10pm on Friday, prompting questions as to how the fatal collision went undetected on a busy stretch of motorway for 28 hours.
The force said Nadeem was driving alone and a Home Office post-mortem examination found he would have died ‘instantly’ from his injuries.
‘Deeply traumatic’ for family
His family said: “When we were unable to reach him, our worry grew and we reported him missing.
“As hours passed, our concern turned into fear. In the end, it was our family who found him and his car—an experience that was deeply traumatic and one that no loved ones should ever have to endure.”
“We are heartbroken not only by losing Nadeem, but by the circumstances surrounding his passing.
“This has been an incredibly distressing and painful time for our family, and we are struggling to come to terms with both our grief and everything that has happened.
“Our family is devastated.”
Police appeal
A police spokesperson said: “First and foremost, our thoughts remain with Nadeem Hussain’s loved ones at this distressing time. They are being supported by specially trained officers.
“At 1.56am on Monday (March 23) we received a call from Mr Hussain’s family to say they had found his car off the M61 down the embankment in a wooded area on its side.
“Police attended and sadly Mr Hussain was found to be deceased inside the vehicle.
“A Home Office post-mortem examination showed he would have died instantly from his injuries.”
Sgt Bex Price, of the Road Policing Unit, added: “This collision has very sadly resulted in a man losing his life and I would appeal to anyone who has any information or footage which may have captured this vehicle prior to the collision to get in touch.
“If you can help please call 101 quoting log 0074 of March 23. You can also email the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at [email protected]”
GoFundMe
A GoFundMe has been set up to help to raise donations for charitable causes in Nadeem’s memory.
It says: “Nadeem was a kind, thoughtful man who had the time for anyone and would do anything to help others around.
“Many people have shared touching stories about Dimmy and his kind nature. His passion was for cars, fixing them, driving them, towing them he shared this passion alongside his father and has grown up being taught everything he knows from his father.
“Nadeem was a loving father to three children, Maleesha, Anayah & Zakariyah. He spent his Sundays taking Anayah to the auctions & returning home with extra ‘treasures’ to annoy his wife.
“He was a loving brother and son, very close to his sisters who are left heartbroken with Nadeem’s departure from this world.
“They sadly lost Nadia, their other sister 6 months before Nadeem and as a family this is tragic for them.
“Building wells for Nadeem and supporting other charitable causes will bring them a lot of comfort through this difficult time.”