The heartbroken mother of a British teenager who vanished during a holiday in Tenerife has issued a desperate plea for help as the search for her son enters its fifth day.
Debbie Duncan, speaking through tears, described the agony of not knowing what has happened to her 19-year-old son Jay Slater, who was last seen in the mountainous Rural de Teno park on Monday morning.
'I'm begging anyone with information to come forward,' the devastated mother stated. 'Jay is a kind-hearted young man who wouldn't just disappear. We need him home safe.'
Disappearance After Night Out
The apprentice bricklayer from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, had travelled to the Spanish island for a music festival with friends. He was last seen leaving a nightclub in the popular tourist area of Veronicas in the early hours of Monday morning.
Jay reportedly travelled to a remote Airbnb rental with people he had met that evening, approximately 40 minutes from his own accommodation. His last contact with friends came around 8:15 AM on Monday when he sent a message saying he was lost, needed water, and his phone was about to die.
Massive Search Operation Underway
Spanish authorities have launched a major search operation involving helicopters, sniffer dogs, and mountain rescue teams. The challenging terrain and extreme temperatures have complicated efforts to locate the missing teenager.
Local police have described the area where Jay was last seen as 'mountainous and treacherous,' particularly for someone unfamiliar with the landscape.
Family's Anguish Grows
Jay's family have flown to Tenerife to assist with the search efforts. His mother described the situation as 'every parent's worst nightmare.'
'We're living in hell not knowing where he is or if he's safe,' she told reporters. 'He's my baby, and I just want him home.'
Friends of the missing student have described him as 'popular' and 'full of life,' making his disappearance completely out of character.
Appeal for Information
Investigators are urging anyone who may have seen Jay or has information about his whereabouts to come forward immediately. They're particularly interested in speaking with the two men he was last seen with.
The Foreign Office has confirmed they're supporting the family and working with local authorities. A spokesperson stated: 'We're assisting the family of a British man reported missing in Spain and are in contact with local authorities.'
As the search continues, Jay's family remains hopeful but increasingly desperate for answers about the disappearance of their beloved son and brother.
