Body of missing Northern Ireland man found in canal in England

Greater Manchester Police issued a statement on Monday morning saying, “The body of 46-year-old Mervyn Craig, who was reported missing, has sadly been found in a canal near to Seven Stars Bridge, off Wallgate, in Wigan.”
Mr Craig had been missing for several weeks.

The father-of-four from Lisburn, who was insulin dependent, recently moved to the Wigan area from Northern Ireland.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) immediately taped off the entrance to the canal towpath opposite Seven Stars Road.

Firefighters, including a specialist rescue unit, were also called to the scene.

A police spokesperson said: “The body of a man has now been recovered from the water and officers are currently working to establish the circumstances surrounding his death.”

Mr Craig was reported missing early in February.

He was last seen at the Arnold Clark Motorstore on Wallgate, Wigan, at around 8pm on Monday, February 8.

As part of their search in locating Mr Craig Detective Inspector Martin Reddington said Greater Manchester Police had utilised ‘significant resources’ - including officers on the ground and an underwater search team.