Focus on parked car as storm stalls search for missing seaman

Published on Friday 9 January 2009 20:57

POLICE searching for a missing man in South Uist yesterday appealed for help tracing a vehicle in the area at the time.

Simon MacMillan, 21, disappeared while returning home from a dance on Christmas Day and despite extensive searches no trace of him has been found.

Northern Constabulary issued a new plea for help finding vehicles on the road at the time Mr MacMillan vanished.

In particular they are keen to hear from the driver or passengers of a car believed to have been parked on the Ardkenneth Road, near to St Michael's Church, Ardkenneth, South Uist, at about 3:30am on 26 December.

Severe weather forecast to hit the Western Isles today led police to postpone the official search until Monday. However, some islanders are still expected to brave Force 9 winds and heavy rain to continue the hunt.

A statement issued by the community yesterday said: "This weekend, 16 days since he was last seen, a further intensive effort will be made to find Simon.

"The close-knit local community has rallied around the MacMillan family to support them at this difficult time and volunteers are again expected to arrive from islands across the Western Isles. However, following two weeks of near perfect weather, an approaching storm will increase the difficulty of further searching."

Meanwhile, Kenny Dalglish lent his support to the appeal for information. The former football star, who in August opened the redesigned Askernish Golf Club in South Uist of which he is now president, said: "I met Simon several times and he is a great lad, a great piper and a keen footballer. If anyone saw anything, no matter how insignificant they think it is, they should tell the police."

Mr MacMillan, a merchant seaman, disappeared while returning from a dance in the south of the island.

His father, Angus, a local businessman and chairman of the community organisation that owns the South Uist Estate, said: "Simon has worked in the family business and is now following his dream at nautical college, with his life ahead of him. We cannot believe he would choose to disappear.

"If anyone knows anything about his whereabouts, please call the police or Crimestoppers, or pass the information to the family anonymously in any way possible.

"Right now, all we want to know is what has happened to Simon."