MISSING Jay Slater is believed to be lost in an area of Tenerife dubbed the “wasteland” by locals, it emerged last night.
A five-day search for the 19-year-old ended in a 2,000-foot-deep gorge in a remote desert-like park.
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Jay Slater is believed to be lost in an area of Tenerife that locals call the ‘wasteland’ Credit: Ian Whittaker
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A five-day search for the missing Briton ended in a 2,000-foot-deep gorge in the desert-like park, above rescuers near the village of MascaCredit: PA
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The gorge that seekers focus on
Helicopters were seen flying overhead as firefighters, volunteers and police searched the dangerous terrain beneath the cactus.
Jonathan Stones, who moved to Tenerife more than two decades ago at the age of 13, said the Teno nature reserve was one of the most inhospitable places on the island.
He told The Sun: “Where Jay was last located via his mobile phone he has the least chance of survival.
“The barren landscape around the island’s vacation hotspots is what locals call ‘malpais’ — a word that translates to ‘bad land’ in English.”
The former journalist, 50, warned that the scorching heat could be deceiving, with pleasant morning temperatures turning hot by 11am.
He added: “With no shade in sight, water at hand and a deep gorge, the sun becomes an even fiercer opponent.
“And the shady respite offered by the hilltops is short-lived.
“The sun moves quickly around the mountainside and anyone who hides behind a rocky ledge is soon pushed out of their hiding place in search of the next one.
“I desperately hope that the puzzle is solved in time for Jay to be safely reunited with his family.”
Jay’s last known location was on a mountain road on the northwest side of the island.
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The apprentice bricklayer, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancs, traveled to the rental property in the village of Masca with two friends he met at a party.
The Airbnb owner revealed that Jay had asked about the local bus before attempting the nearly 11-hour journey back to his hotel.
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Jay’s last known location was on a mountain road on the northwest side of Zasluge Island: Solarpix
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Emergency workers near the village of Masca, Tenerife, where the search continuesCredit: PA
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Firefighters, volunteers and police search dangerous terrain under cactus Credit: PA
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One local said that the Teno nature reserve where Jay is said to have gone missing is one of the most inhospitable places on the island Credits: PA
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A cactus-strewn landscape in Malpais de Rasca, Tenerife, a word that translates to ‘bad land’Credit: Alamy
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