Probe launched after remains of an unborn baby are found in a bag under a bridge in Lancashire

By PATRICK HARRINGTON, UK NEWS REPORTER Published: 22:09, 12 August 2026 | Updated: 22:10, 12 August 2026 A baby's remains have been found in a plastic bag beneath a bridge in Lancashire. Police have launched an investigation after the 'devastating' discovery of a partially developed foetus, and said they 'urgently' wanted to speak to the mother. A passerby came across the bag under the Lower Hodder Bridge near Stonyhurst, Clitheroe, just after 3pm on Tuesday. They flagged down officers from Lancashire Constabulary and said they believed they had discovered a bagged placenta on the wooded east bank of the River Hodder. But after police recovered the bag, it was found in fact to contain the remains of a foetus. The force said it was making enquiries to determine what stage in the gestation period the baby had reached. They said they were also 'really concerned' for the welfare of the mother, and were trying to track her down. To aid the investigation, police want to speak to anyone who was in the area over the weekend. A bag containing the remains of a partially developed foetus was found beneath Lower Hodder Bridge (pictured) in Lancashire Right next to Lower Hodder Bridge is the historic Cromwell Bridge (pictured), over which Oliver Cromwell marched 8,000 troops  They are particularly keen to talk to a man who was in the area with two children on Tuesday between 1pm and 3pm. Lower Hodder Bridge is right next to the historic Cromwell Bridge, built in the 16th century. It is so called because Oliver Cromwell crossed over it with 8,000 troops in 1648 ahead of the Battle of Preston.  DCI Jill Vescovi of Lancashire Constabulary's Force Major Investigation Team said: 'We have a live investigation underway following the devastatingly sad discovery of this little one. Our enquiries are in their very early stages, and we are working to determine the important facts. 'What we do know is that it is really important for us to find the mother of this baby. We are concerned about her health, and her welfare, and urgently need to identify her and speak to her. 'I know that she must have been through something horrific, and she may be frightened about coming forward.  'We need to speak to her so that we can find out what happened, and so that we are able to give her baby the goodbye they deserve. 'I want to make a direct appeal to her today to ask her to please come forward and speak to us, or someone she trusts who will make a report.  'We want to make sure you are safe and that you have had any relevant treatment you may need. 'It’s also really important that we speak to people who were in the area recently, to help us try and determine how the foetus came to be in this area.  'Someone will know what has happened, and it is my, and my team’s job to find out exactly what.  'We have enquiries ongoing, but we need your help. If you know anything, no matter how insignificant you may think it is, please get in touch with us.' Anyone with information is urged to call 101, quoting log 0864 of 11th August.