New statement in missing Jay Slater search as loved ones reveal they are 'drained beyond words'

Loved ones of missing Jay Slater have told how they are 'drained beyond words' as a desperate search for him in Tenerife continues. The 19-year-old has been missing since Monday, June 17, when he was last heard from.

Jay - from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire - had flown to the Canary Islands with two friends to attend the NRG music festival. But he did not return to their accommodation in Los Cristianos on Sunday evening.

He had gone to stay at an apartment with people he had met. Jay called his friend Lucy Mae Law at about 8am on Monday morning, telling her he was thirsty and had one per cent battery on his phone.

READ MORE: Jay Slater rave video may have captured final moments of teen before vanishing in Tenerife

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He said he needed water as was walking in 'the middle of nowhere', Manchester Evening News reports. His phone location was last tracked in the Rural de Teno Park, close to the village of Masca.

A huge search has been taking place on the Spanish island ever since he disappeared. 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' as the night drew in on Thursday, June 20.

She said his family and friends were 'drained beyond words' and in a 'living nightmare'. Her post read: "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 near 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. But, tourists in the south have said they have seen a police helicopter 'going up and down and up and down' repeatedly over recent days.

Police officers have also been seen patrolling 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 help with the search.

Speaking from the family home in Oswaldtwistle yesterday, Jay's stepdad Andy Watson said the teenager had been reluctant to go abroad. The 63-year-old said:""[His friends] had to talk him into going.

"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.

She told ITV: "I wish I hadn't encouraged him." 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 tried 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. June, 77, said: "I don't read newspapers but it's been on the news on telly so much I can't escape it.

"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... "