British teen Jay Slater, 19, missing in Tenerife as family and friends launch desperate appeal
18.06.2024 - 09:43
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
The family and friends of a teenager who has gone missing in Tenerife said they 'have never been so worried'.
Jay Slater, from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire, travelled to the Canary Island for a musical festival with pal Lucy and another friend. But the 19-year-old has now been reported missing after he went to stay with people he had met on the holiday after a night out.
Their apartment was 'in the middle of nowhere', Lucy told the Manchester Evening News. She said he would 'not have realised' how far away it was from where they were staying.
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Yesterday morning (June 17), Jay called Lucy to say he was trying to walk back after not being able to catch a bus. He told her his phone battery was on 1 per cent, that he needed a drink of water and 'didn't know where he was', Lucy said.
His phone then died with his last location showing as being in 'the middle of mountains with nothing around'. The location is in the Rural de Teno Park - or the National Park of Teno - which is popular with hikers.
The closest town is Santiago del Teide. Lucy said she is now frantically searching for her friend on the island.
She said she has made several reports to local police in Tenerife and has also been in touch with the British Embassy. Jay's mum is also on the way to Tenerife, she added.
Speaking to the M.E.N about Jay's disappearance, she said: "He's gone on a night out, he's gone to a friend's house, someone that he has met on holiday. One of the people he has met has hired a car out of here, so he's driven them back to his apartment and Jay has gone there not realising how far away it is.
"He's ended up out in the middle of