The search for 19-year-old Jay Slater, a British teenager who went missing after a night out in Tenerife, has entered its sixth day. Slater, from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire, was on his first holiday without his parents, attending a music festival on the Spanish island.
Jay Slater last made contact with a friend around 09:00 BST on Monday, stating he was lost and needed water. His last known location was on a path in the mountainous terrain of the Rural de Teno national park. Lancashire Police have offered support to Spanish authorities, who are confident they have sufficient resources to continue the search.
Slater’s disappearance followed his separation from friends in Playa de las Americas, a tourist hotspot on Tenerife’s south coast. After attending the NRG music festival at Papagayo night club, he reportedly got into a car with two men and traveled to the national park in northwest Tenerife.
Search teams have been meticulously scouring a mountain road, focusing on a ravine and later moving to a valley in the village of Masca. Dog teams and police examined areas near farm buildings and a steep patch of land behind an apartment where Slater was reportedly driven. Despite thorough efforts, including combing through dead palm trees and inspecting rubbish for clues, no leads have been found.
The owner of the apartment where Slater was last seen described the situation as “worrying,” noting she saw him walk past her property but not return. Lancashire Police stated they remain in contact with the Spanish Guardia Civil and will provide additional resources if needed. The British force expressed their thoughts are with Jay’s family and friends during this distressing time.
Lucy Law, believed to be the last person to speak with Slater, said he told her he had missed a bus and decided to walk a 10-hour journey home but was lost, needed water, and his phone battery was nearly dead. The Rural de Teno, a remote and wild national park, presents significant challenges for search teams due to its deep ravines and daunting mountains, especially at night when the terrain becomes pitch black and disorienting.
A spokesperson from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed they are supporting Slater’s family and are in contact with local authorities. The search for Jay Slater continues, with hopes of finding him safe growing more urgent by the day.