Mum of missing Jay Slater pleads for privacy as Tenerife search continues

The mum of Jay Slater has pleaded for privacy amid the ongoing search for her son after he was reported missing in Tenerife.

Jay, 19, was reported missing on Monday after failing to return to his hotel room on the Spanish island. He had flown to Tenerife with school friends Lucy and Brad to attend the three-day NRG music festival which started on Friday June 14.

On Sunday night, Jay, from Oswaldtwistle, stayed out with some new friends he had made while his pals went back to the hotel. The following morning, at around 8.50am he spoke with Lucy and told her he was planning on walking the 11 hours back after missing a bus. He hasn't been heard from since.

• READ MORE: Mum and step-dad of missing Jay Slater: Cruel trolls told us 'he's been found'

• READ MORE: Jay Slater missing: Live updates as mum joins search and Tenerife police 'doing everything possible'

LancsLive spoke to Jay's step-dad Andy Watson, at the family home in Oswaldtwistle, who said that Jay's mum Debbie had flown out to Tenerife with her eldest son Zak. This morning (June 19) Andy confirmed that several more family members have flown out to help in the search and said that, as of 10am today, Jay was still missing.

Andy, 63, also told LancsLive that Debbie has pleaded for privacy. The press and volunteers have headed to the area of Teno National Park, where Jay's phone last 'pinged' his location, to report on and help with the search.

"She's in bits and asking for some privacy," Andy said today (June 19). "Nothing has changed and more family are flying out this morning."

Jay, an apprentice bricklayer at Accrington and Rossendale College, was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, shorts and trainers and carrying a black bag. In his last conversation with Lucy he told he that he "needed a drink".

Both mountain rescue teams and helicopters have been deployed in the search to find the missing teenager, with local residents living in Tenerife also distributing missing posters to put up around Adeje in the hopes of finding him and bringing him safely home.

Police in Tenerife are reportedly stopping motorists as part of the search this morning, according to the 'Jay Slater missing' Facebook group. Officers are said to have shown them a photo of Jay and asking if they have any information on his whereabouts.

Earlier today GoFundMe issued a statement after several fundraisers were set up in Jay's name. The organisation said 'all campaigns are under review' and that no money will be transferred unless it is verified that the donations will go to his family.