DUBAI // The wife of missing British seaman Timmy MacColl has had the couple’s third child, a girl she has named Eriskay.
The baby arrived on Friday as the hunt for Mr MacColl, who disappeared in Dubai in May, continued.
The newborn was welcomed by her brother Cameron, 7, and sister Skye, 4.
Mum Rachael, 25, from Gosport in Hampshire, England, had been due to give birth this month.
The announcement was made today on the Bring Timmy Home Facebook page.
The posting said: “The family and Team Timmy are happy to announce the safe arrive of baby MacColl. Mother and baby doing well.”
Supporters were quick to pass on their congratulations. One posted: “Well done Rachael for being the amazing wife and mother that you are. Eriskay is pretty and you did a fantastic job. Timmy will be so proud of you both.”
Another wrote: “This did bring a tear to my eye as Timmy should be there with you! I pray every day that he is found safe and well.”
Mr MacColl, 27, disappeared in the early hours of May 27 while on shore leave after his ship, HMS Westminster, docked at Port Rashid. He was last seen getting into a taxi outside the Rock Bottom Cafe at the Regent Palace Hotel in Bur Dubai.
Mrs MacColl revealed before the birth that she was planning to visit Dubai again to discuss the case with police in the emirate, who are leading the investigation. She first visited Dubai with other family members and spoke to officers soon after he vanished.
“My wish once baby is here is to get back out to Dubai and meet with police once again,” she said on the Facebook page, which has more than 108,000 members.
“It has warmed my heart to see so many members of this group giving up their time and going out of their way to help us in the search for my husband.
“I have been shocked by the amount of support we have received from people we have never met and it makes me feel incredibly humble to know how many people love us enough to care so much.”
But although Mrs MacColl appreciates all the support, she finds it difficult to read the thousands of comments that have been posted on the Facebook page.
"I find it too hard knowing it's my life this is happening to," she wrote. "Reading about yourself constantly is a surreal experience and not one I relish."
csimpson@thenational.ae
