The stepdad of a British teenager missing in Tenerife has made a heartbreaking admission about the trip.
19-year-old Jay Slater remains missing after going to a music festival, with his step-dad Andy Watson revealing the chilling truth that Jay had to be persuaded to go on the ill-fated trip.
The search for Jay, an apprentice bricklayer from Oswaldtwistle, has intensified since Monday when he vanished after attending a music festival.
Originally hesitant about the journey, Jay was convinced by friends to join them for the NRG music festival in Tenerife.
His mother, Debbie Duncan, rushed to the island upon learning of his disappearance, accompanied by other worried relatives including Jay’s uncle Glen.
Speaking from their home in Oswaldtwistle, Andy Watson told LancsLive: “[His friends] had to talk him into going. He wasn’t really that keen.”
Debbie, expressing regret over encouraging the trip, told ITV: “I wish I hadn’t encouraged him to go to this.”
The last known communication from Jay was a call to his friend Lucy at 8:50am on Monday, where he mentioned missing the bus and planning to walk back to his apartment.
His phone signal abruptly ended, the location indicating he was near the Rural de Teno park, an isolated area known for hiking and nearly an 11-hour trek from his lodgings.
Lucy told the Manchester Evening News: “He’s ended up out in the middle of nowhere. Jay was obviously thinking he would be able to get home from there.”
Jay had mistakenly accepted a ride from someone he met Sunday night, unaware of the considerable distance back to safety.
As the search efforts continue, hope dwindles but the community remains united in support for Jay’s family during this trying time.