A British teenager has gone missing on his first holiday with friends in Tenerife
Nineteen-year-old Jay Slater, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, hasn’t been seen since Monday morning after attending the NRG music festival. Slater notified his friends he planned to walk back to his accommodation after missing a bus. The journey was expected to take a total of 11 hours on foot.
Slater attended the festival alongside his friend Lucy, who reported to the Manchester Evening News that he had gone off with people he had met on the holiday after a night out. She then received a phone call from Slater at about 8:15 am on Monday after he had missed the bus, claiming to be lost, dehydrated, and with his phone battery at 1%.
Slater’s phone then cut off, with the last location showing him to be in the Rural de Teno park—a mountainous area popular with hikers.
“He’s ended up out in the middle of nowhere,” she said. “Jay was obviously thinking he would be able to get home from there. But then in the morning, he set off walking, using his maps on his phone, and ended up in the middle of the mountains with nothing around.”
“There’s something weird going on. It is suspicious. In two days you’re telling me someone’s not seen him? There’s a restaurant 10 minutes away that he would have seen or walked past. It’s suspicious and it’s weird. Fair enough it didn’t open for another two hours, but if that were me, I would have sat and waited at the restaurant till it opened.”
Slater was last seen wearing a white T-shirt with shorts and trainers, carrying a black bag.
Since the news broke out, his mother has been beside herself
His mother, Debbie Duncan, expressed to the PA News agency how distressed and emotional she has been since the news of her son’s disappearance, worrying that he has been held against his will. “It’s just traumatic and it doesn’t feel real. It’s just awful; it’s horrendous. He’s just a great person who everyone wanted to be with. He’s good looking; he’s a popular boy.”
She added that the police leading the search had been “very good.”
Additionally, she flew to Tenerife the following Tuesday morning. She told the Daily Mail, “I’m obviously beside myself with worry, which is why I’ve flown out here with my eldest son to do anything we can to help. We’re just praying the police or someone finds Jay. I know there’s a mountain rescue team out and a helicopter. Nothing’s ever going to be enough when your youngest son’s gone missing, but it sounds as if the police here are taking this very seriously and doing the best job they can.”
A Civil Guard spokesperson in Tenerife has confirmed that “everything possible” was being done to find Slater. “A specialist mountain rescue and intervention group called the Greim has been mobilized,” she said. “A police helicopter is also out and focusing on the area around the village of Masca. Other emergency services, including firefighters, have also been mobilized.”
The Foreign Office said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has been reported missing in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities.”
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The Importance of Staying Safe on Holiday
The disappearance of the young teenager Jay Slater is an eye-opener for all young people about the importance of staying safe and cautious while on holidays. While being in a foreign place, surrounded by culture and enjoyment, it’s important to remember to take necessary precautions to ensure our safety above all else.
Being in unfamiliar environments comes with a variety of risks, including health issues, theft, and accidents. Hence, it is vital to stay vigilant and be prepared to navigate such risks effectively. Keeping personal belongings secure, avoiding unsafe areas, having a reliable source of communication, and remembering emergency contacts. These are all good ways to enhance safety while still enjoying the holiday to its maximum potential.
Having basic knowledge of the country beforehand is useful. Understanding the local culture, knowing the safe areas from the dangerous ones, and being aware of common scams. Additionally, storing important documents such as passports, visas, and all insurance information in a safe place, and having backup copies in case of an emergency, is crucial.
Conclusion
Holidays are meant to be a time to have fun and make life-cherishing memories. However, it is important to remain vigilant, aware, and proactive in ensuring our safety.
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