Dubai: Taxi drivers in Dubai are being offered a reward for any information that will help locate missing British sailor Timothy MacColl.
The precise amount of the cash reward is not known but taxi drivers in Dubai were sent an SMS message last week asking for any leads that could help authorities shed new light on MacColl’s disappearance. He was last seen on May 27 at a Bur Dubai night club in the small hours of the morning.
“Dear Drivers, anyone that has information about a pickup of a ... European passenger on the 27th of May at approximately 2:15am from Regent hotel in Refaa, please report it to Keyroom. A reward will be given,” reads the text message.
One unidentified taxi driver confirmed with Gulf News that he received the text but said he knew nothing about the incident and neither did his colleagues.
“The missing man was not in my taxi, that’s all I know,” the driver told Gulf News.
He did not know the amount being offered in reward money nor the party offering the cash reward.
Leading Seaman MacColl, a father of two, was last seen shortly after 2am leaving Rock Bottom in a taxi.
The sailor’s disappearance has led to an avalanche of interest since he failed to report to his ship, the Royal Navy frigate HMS Westminster, which ultimately sailed without him after he could not be located.
Shortly after MacColl’s disappearance, the Ministry of Defence press office told Gulf News that a missing persons case was opened to hunt for the seaman.
“We can confirm that Leading Seaman MacColl is currently unaccounted for in Dubai, everything is being done to ensure that he is located safely,” a ministry spokesperson said in a statement emailed to Gulf News.
“His next of kin has been informed and we are working closely with the local authorities and FCO representatives in the UAE to establish his whereabouts. We take great care to look after all members of the Naval Service wherever they serve around the world.”
British Consular officials in Dubai said they are working closely with the British Navy in the matter as Dubai Police continue to investigate the missing persons case.
