Underwater searches have started in a bid to find a Co Antrim man who has been missing for four months. Gary Patterson was last seen lifting money from a cash machine outside Tesco on Main Street in Larne on Saturday, October 12, after leaving his flat at 10am.
The 45-year-old was reported missing on December 20, with police saying he has links to the Larne and Belfast areas. Searches have been taking place for the past few months and this week, specialised teams have travelled to the Larne area to conduct underwater searches.
Speaking to Belfast Live, his brother, Simon Patterson, said the underwater searches are taking place as they are "nearly exhausting" all ground searches, with no suspected sightings of Gary yet reported.
Read more: Missing man’s brother issues appeal amid fears he has been ‘lured away’
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He said: "We spoke to police about starting water searches as we're nearly exhausting all ground searches. Don't get me wrong, we'll keep going with ground searches, but it's just another avenue where we haven't been able to search and we need professional teams to search those areas.
"My cousin works offshore, so he's been able to put a team together and they have came across with an ROV underwater drone. They have a few divers too so if anything's uncovered, they can go in and investigate.
"Tyrone Underwater Search and Rescue will also be coming up on Sunday, Larne Harbour Master is on board and Larne Yacht Club have let us use their slipway."
The family has started a fundraising appeal as they are self-funding the searches. Additionally, Simon said they would like to donate to the volunteer search teams who have helped them in looking for Gary.
"Starting a fundraiser was really the last thing we ever wanted to do, but we have to self-fund this," Simon added. "The divers aren't charging their daily rate, but we want to cover their accommodation, travel, and any expenses they may incur. We also want to be able to give a donation with all the volunteer rescue groups who have been helping us too."
As for how the searches have been going so far, Simon said: "We've unfortunately still not had any sightings of Gary. It's awful, so that's why we're going down the road now of searching everywhere humanely possible."
Speaking previously, Simon said he is now concerned Gary may have been "lured away" from his local area. He said: "He's a vulnerable person, in the way of he's a bit of a loner, and outside his bubble he gets a bit confused. In Larne, he's very comfortable and able to fend for himself, but if you take him away from those familiar surroundings he can get confused.
"We've been out day and night checking everywhere in Larne. The positive is we haven't found a body, we have to have the hope he is out there. I'm now wondering if he's been lured away by somebody."
On the day he went missing, Gary was wearing a yellow and black checked jumper with blue jeans, walking boots, and a beanie hat. The latest missing person appeal from police was issued on January 9, with officers saying they are "increasingly concerned for his wellbeing."
Inspector Ash said: “45-year-old Gary Patterson has now been missing for almost 3 months, having last been seen in Larne on Saturday, 12th October 2024. Gary was reported missing on Friday, 20th December and has links to the Larne and Belfast areas.
“He has dark hair and when last seen, he had a thick moustache and was wearing a distinctive yellow and black check patterned coat with dark blue jeans, hiking/walking boots and a black beanie hat.
“We are growing increasingly concerned for Gary’s wellbeing and would ask that anyone who has seen him, or who may have information which may help us to locate him, contact police on 101, quoting reference 530 of 20/12/24.”
You can donate to the fundraiser to help with searches by clicking here.
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