20 June 2024 , 19:09
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Missing teen Jay Slater's nan has compared his case to that of tragic Dr Michael Mosley, who was found dead in Greece after suffering heat exhaustion on a hike earlier this month.
In her first interview since her beloved grandson vanished in Tenerife on Monday, June Duncan said: "The longer it goes on the more worrying it is. I'm just getting through each day at a time. I watched all that on the news about [TV doctor] Michael Mosley and it's just so similar. It's hot out there in Tenerife and I just can't bear to think about what's happened to Jay, I'm terrified."
19-year-old Jay from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, remains missing on the Island as the search enters its fourth day. His friend Lucy Mae, who had gone to the island with him to attend the NRG music festival, said he stayed with people he had met on holiday after a night out.
Jay, 19, went missing in Tenerife on Monday morning (LancsLive)Jay had called Lucy at around 8.15am on Monday saying he was lost, needed a drink of water and had only 1% battery on his phone. He told her that he planned to walk back to his accommodation after missing a bus - a journey expected to take around 11 hours on foot - before the call cut off.
Jay's grandmother, Speaking to LancsLive from her chalet near Clitheroe, said her family were trying to shield her from any speculation surrounding the 19-year-olds disappearance. Her son Glen, Jay's uncle, flew out to Tenerife on Wednesday to join Jay's mum Debbie Duncan.
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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."
Search teams are in the Rural de Teno park area, where the teen was last seen (BBC)"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", she added.
June's neighbours have rallied round her since the news broke. One said: "It's absolutely terrible what's happened. She's such a lovely woman." June, who used to babysit Jay when he was a tot, described him as "a lovely lad". She added: "It's all just been such a blur."
She also admitted she has been trying not to 'fear the worst'. She said: "You've got to remain positive. I'm trying not to think about it too much but I can't help it. I just feel so powerless."