Car found in Northern Irish river could help solve 30-year-old missing person case, police say

James Patterson was reportedly last seen at a hospital in 1991

Police in Northern Ireland said a car found in a river could potentially be linked to a missing person case from around 30 years ago (AFP via Getty Images)

A car found in a river in Northern Ireland may be linked to a missing person case from nearly 30 years ago, police have said.

The national police force said the discovery could potentially have a connection to the disappearance of James Patterson, who went missing in 1991.

The vehicle was found in the River Bann in Bellaghy, a village in County Londonderry.

Police investigating Patterson’s three decade-old missing person case would launch a recovery operation for the car on Sunday, according to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

The Ford Orion was found in the river at New Ferry Road in the Northern Irish village.

It was discovered by a local Community Search and Rescue team on Saturday.

The car will undergo forensic examinations once out the water, police said.

Patterson went missing around 30 years ago after being last seen at Mid Ulster Hospital in County Londonderry, according to Belfast Telegraph.

He was 54 years old at the time, the newspaper reported.

Additional reporting by Press Association