Northern Ireland

Body of Magherafelt man James Patterson recovered 29 years after he went missing

Emergency workers recover a Ford Orion, from the River Bann, at the New Ferry Road in Bellaghy last month. It has now been confirmed it belonged to James Patterson, whose body has been recovered. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Emergency workers recover a Ford Orion, from the River Bann, at the New Ferry Road in Bellaghy last month. It has now been confirmed it belonged to James Patterson, whose body has been recovered. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire Emergency workers recover a Ford Orion, from the River Bann, at the New Ferry Road in Bellaghy last month. It has now been confirmed it belonged to James Patterson, whose body has been recovered. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire

The body of a man who went missing nearly 30 years ago has been recovered from a car found in the River Bann in Co Derry.

James Patterson disappeared on October 6 1991.

Police officers and other emergency services extracted the vehicle from the River Bann at the New Ferry Road in Bellaghy last month.

Mr Patterson, aged 54 and from the Magherafelt area, was last seen visiting someone at Mid Ulster Hospital.

A PSNI statement said: "Police can confirm human remains were found following the recovery of a car from the River Bann at the New Ferry Road in Bellaghy last month.

"The vehicle was recovered from the river in July and following examination, it has been confirmed the human remains are those of James Patterson who went missing on 6th October 1991.

"The family have been informed and request for privacy at this time."

The death is not being treated as suspicious.