Missing persons expert spots key concern in Jay Slater search

A missing persons expert has revealed his major concern over Jay Slater's disappearance in Tenerife. The 19-year-old vanished while attempting to walk an 11-hour journey on foot back to his accommodation on the south of the island.

He was last seen on the morning of Monday, June 17, with a desperate search now continuing into its seventh day. The apprentice bricklayer had called his friend Lucy to say he needed a drink and was walking back after missing a bus.

He also revealed how he had just one per cent battery left on his phone, which died soon after the call ended. Former head of Lambeth Missing Persons Unit Mike Neville has now told how he has concerns for Jay.

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He said: "It has been a long time now and it's an area which is hot in the day and very cold at night. Of course, the lad was out in clothes that he'd worn at a festival so a T-Shirt and shorts.

"So we can only hope that he is just very, very dehydrated somewhere. I really feel for the mother, and I know every mother would have great hope, but it just doesn't look like it at the moment."

Despite an ongoing search, there has been no trace of Jay. His loved ones have flown out to the Spanish island to help with the search, GB News reports.

Mr Neville said: "I think the Spanish police have published quite detailed analysis of where they're going to search, focusing on three ravines." He added: "This area of Tenerife is quite wooded.

"There are so many places that somebody could have laid down to rest or take shelter, and it's not so visible from the air. So whilst the Spanish police are making use of helicopters and drones, they're really reliant on humans.

"Either the police officers, volunteers or park rangers and dogs to try and locate Jay, we can only hope that he is alive and he's okay." Jay - from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire - had gone to an Airbnb with two British men he had met while at the NRG music festival.

The owner of the rental property last saw Jay walking alone after he had asked her about the bus timetable. His last location is shown as the Rural de Reno park, a mountainous area popular with hikers.

His mum Debbie Duncam said the search had yesterday been 'stepped up'. She told the Guardian she spent eight hours in a police station on Friday as officers outlined their detailed plans to search for Jay.