THE wife of missing Royal Navy sailor Timmy MacColl has flown to Dubai to join the search for her husband – just weeks before she is due to have the couple's third child.
Rachael MacColl – who is 25 weeks' pregnant – travelled to the Middle East with fellow family members as the hunt for the 27-year-old continues.
The mother-of-two, who is due to give birth in October, arrived in the country yesterday morning and plans to attend a candlelit vigil for her husband tonight.
A close friend said: "Rachael, her uncle Neil Cunningham and several other family members all arrived safely in Dubai.
"They will be attending a candle vigil on Friday, so it would be lovely to have a massive turnout.
"It is helpful for everyone that they are in Dubai as a family unit doing everything possible to help find Timmy and bring him home."
Mr MacColl was last seen on May 27 after leaving a popular bar at around 2am. His ship, HMS Westminster, later sailed without him, resuming its anti-piracy patrols between Aden and Somalia.
Mr MacColl, of Killin, Stirlingshire, was classified as an above-water warfare specialist – a role that meant he had an in-depth practical and technical knowledge of operating the weaponry and sensors aboard the frigate.
It has emerged that the ship was involved in an incident with three Somali pirate skiffs shortly before it docked in Port Rashid in Dubai.
The vigil will be held on a public strip of Jumeirah Beach in the port at 7pm. The family friend added: "Everyone who attends will be asked to say a prayer and light a candle for the safe return of Timmy.
"It would be lovely to see candles lit across the UK and around the world for Timmy and his family.
"It only takes one minute out of your day to show that you care, and hopefully, it raises awareness and brings in more information."
The vigil is one of many events being organised by supporters across the globe.
Taxi drivers in Dubai have been offered a reward in return for information that leads to the finding of Mr MacColl.
A leaflet has been drawn up showing photographs of Mr MacColl and the clothes he was last seen wearing.
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