The family of a British teenager missing in Tenerife has made a desperate and heartfelt plea for help, as the search for him enters a critical new phase. Jay Slater, a 19-year-old apprentice bricklayer from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, vanished on Monday morning after attending a music festival on the Spanish island.
The last known contact with Jay was a distressing phone call he made to a friend around 8:15 am on Monday. He reported that he was lost, dehydrated, and disoriented in a remote rural area, his phone battery was on the verge of dying, and he had missed a bus back to his accommodation.
His mother, Debbie Duncan, who has flown to Tenerife to coordinate with authorities, expressed her utter devastation. "It's just unbearable"; she told the British media. "He's my son, he's my baby. He's only 19. He's never done anything like this before. I just want him home."
Where the Search is Focused
The massive search operation is concentrated in the rugged and challenging terrain of the Teno Rural Park, near the small village of Masca in the north-west of the island. This area, known for its steep ravines and mountainous landscape, is a popular hiking destination but can be treacherous for those unprepared.
Spanish authorities have deployed significant resources, including:
- Mountain rescue specialists and sniffer dogs
- The Guardia Civil
- A police helicopter equipped for aerial searches
Despite their relentless efforts, the operation has so far not yielded any concrete clues as to Jay's whereabouts.
A Family's Agonising Wait
Jay was on holiday with friends, including Lucy Mae Law, who was one of the last people to see him. The family is being supported by the UK's Foreign Office, which is in close contact with the Spanish officials leading the investigation.
His mother Debbie described the situation as a "living nightmare" and has appealed directly to the public for any information, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. The family is clinging to hope and urging anyone who was in the Masca area on Monday morning to come forward.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Guardia Civil in Tenerife immediately.
