Jay Slater's dad's defiant message to online trolls from scene of search

The chief of the Civil Guard's mountain rescue operation has announced that the ground search for missing Jay Slater has concluded today, following extensive helicopter searches over the vast ravines at the heart of the search area.

Warren Slater, 58, and his son Zak, 24, were spotted today alongside emergency services and volunteers at the remote mountain location outside the village of Masca where Jay's mobile phone was last detected.

Two police helicopters have dedicated more than three hours to scouring the primary search zones that are the focus for emergency workers, rescuers, and volunteers. A renewed search effort was launched today, following a call to arms by the Civil Guard to intensify efforts to locate the missing 19 year old. . For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter

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The Civil Guard summoned all emergency personnel, including mountain rescue teams and firefighters, to assist with today's search (June 29). As the search enters its 13th day, Spanish police have called on any volunteers with mountain experience to step forward and lend a hand.

Only a handful of volunteers joined the efforts this morning, with approximately 30 members of official emergency service bodies venturing out into hazardous conditions to search for the 19 year old from Lancashire. The searchers have been navigating through thick cacti and dense vegetation, the MEN reported.

The Civil Guard exhibited confidence as they held their first press conference of the ongoing search. Emergency workers and volunteers convened for a briefing to discuss the day's search strategy.

Chief Cipriano Martin, head of the mountain rescue team of the Guardia Civil, asserted that the two British men seen with Jay Slater in a rural Airbnb before his disappearance had 'no relevance' to the investigation.

Cipriano Martin, it was said, confirmed: "They have already spoken to the men and it didn't have any point of relevance to the case."

When asked if Jay's family will be partaking in the day's search operations, he revealed: "All week they've been participating because we've seen them and they've seen us in several places. They've been actively participating."

However, by early afternoon, the chief remained hesitant about revealing any further updates regarding the progress of the search operation. He avoided sharing specifics about the updates on the search, stating: "We're going to see if there is any more news in the course of the afternoon/evening."

Meanwhile, at the search site, Warren - visibly stressed - expressed his dismay over the online trolls attempting to disrupt the search for his youngest child. Commenting on the lack of British support, he lamented: "It's a bit disappointing that there are no British apart from Paul [Arnott] but I suppose to them he's just a British lad who's come out here and got drunk.

"I'm grateful to those who have come out here because you can see just how dangerous it is and what gets me is the trollers who are having a go at us for not searching. It's not the local park, these are big mountains, the terrain is dangerous, put yourself in our position. Would you go out in these conditions? ".

"It's tough, it's hard, we are leaving it to the professionals and I'm grateful for those who have turned out today and I want to thank them for what they are doing."

Warren added: "We just still can't believe it; it's been so tough on us, and I want people to think about us as parents and what we are going through. All those trollers having a go at us, they don't know how we feel, why don't they come up here and have a look and see for themselves how dangerous it is."

"I've come up here now myself because I wanted to have a look about with Zak and to thank those who are up here and have given their time. I just didn't think this would go on for so long, I dropped his mum and brother off at the airport and thought they would be back in a few days. I just thought he's gone out had a drink and ended up at some girl's place as we all did when we were younger, he's our youngest I just want him home."