Yahoo News New statement in missing Jay Slater search as friends in Tenerife 'drained beyond words'
The loved ones of a British teenager who is missing in Tenerife said they are 'drained beyond words' as a desperate search for him continues.
Jay Slater has been missing on the Spanish island since Monday morning (June 17). The 19-year-old, from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire, had flown to the Canary Islands with two friends to attend the NRG music festival, but failed to return to their accommodation in Los Cristianos on Sunday evening after going to stay in an apartment with people he had met.
His friend Lucy Mae Law last heard from him at around 8am on Monday morning when he called her to say his phone was going to die and that he needed water as was walking in 'the middle of nowhere'. His phone location was last tracked in the Rural de Teno Park, close to the village of Masca.
Follow our live blog HERE for the latest updates on the search for Jay
A huge search has been ongoing on the island for the teenager in the days since his disappearance. As the night drew in last night (Thursday), at the end of the fourth day of searching, Rach Louise Harg, who is sharing updates in the 'Jay Slater missing' Facebook group on behalf of his loved ones, said there was 'no update'.
She said his family and friends were 'drained beyond words' and in a 'living nightmare'. In the post, she said: "There isn’t an update for anyone unfortunately.
"Struggling to find words at this time but all I can say is we are looking still and everyone is doing all they can!! We are drained beyond words I just can’t say no more I wish I could I wish this would end now this living nightmare SEARCHES are on going and we remain positive.
"If anyone as not got anything positive to say don’t even bother now just go away honestly. Thanks to you all supporting and helping we can’t thank you any more , much love. Please stop messaging me and the family of Jay unless it’s vital."
Searches for the apprentice bricklayer have been focused in the north-west island in the Rural de Teno Park, a mountainous area popular with hikers. On Wednesday (June 19), the Civil Guard said officers had switched their search to the south of the island in tourist hotspots close to where Jay was staying with friends in Los Cristianos and Playa de Las Americas.
They then confirmed the search had returned to the north of the island. However tourists in the south have spotted the police helicopter 'going up and down and up and down' repeatedly over recent days.
They added that they have seen police officers patrolling down the busy beach front since news of Jay's disappearance came to light. Jay's mum Debbie Duncan flew out to the island on Tuesday to assist officers with the search.
Speaking from the family home in Oswaldtwistle yesterday, Jay's stepdad Andy Watson revealed the teenager had been reluctant to go abroad. "[His friends] had to talk him into going," Andy, 63, told LancsLive.
"He wasn't really that keen." Jay's mum Debbie has also described how her youngest son had to be persuaded to go on the holiday. "I wish I hadn't encouraged him," Debbie told ITV.
Jay's 'terrified' gran also spoke for the first time yesterday. Speaking from her chalet on the outskirts of Clitheroe, Lancashire, June Duncan described how her family had been trying to shield her from the speculation surrounding Jay's disappearance.
She revealed that her son Glen - Debbie's brother - flew out to Tenerife on Wednesday to support his sister. Debbie has spoken of how she is 'beside herself' as she prays for good news about her youngest son.
"I don't read newspapers but it's been on the news on telly so much I can't escape it," June, 77, said. "I've not spoken to Debbie much but other family members are keeping me updated.
"My son came to see me on Tuesday and he flew out there yesterday. He's gone with [Jay's] cousin to try and help but I don't know what they can do.
"I wouldn't be able to go out there, and I'm not sure what help I'd be, I just keep hoping for good news. I can't even begin to imagine how Debbie is. She rang me and said he'd gone missing. She didn't tell me at first, I think she was trying not to worry me, but then as time went on... "
A picture also emerged of the Tenerife holiday home where Jay took his final photo before he vanished. The rental, called Casa Abuela Tina, is attached to the back of a bar and restaurant on the outskirts of the village of Masca on the Spanish island.
It is listed online as a holiday home and is understood to have been rented by two British men Jay was with the night before his disappearance, the Mirror reports. It is understood they checked out yesterday before flying back to Britain.
