Jay Slater’s family have enlisted the support of a new specialist rescue team as the search for the missing 19-year-old continues.
The Dutch Signi Zoekhonden, often deployed in the aftermath of natural disasters, stressed they were “confident” ahead of their five-and-a-half day mission.
Slater’s friend Lucy Mae Law, who raised over £50,000 through a GoFundMe page, confirmed much of the money was being used to fund the Dutch search and rescue experts.
She shared an update explaining the development from Slater’s mother Debbie Duncan.
Jay Slater's family get boost with new specialist disaster rescue team 'confident'PAIt said: “Jay’s family would like to thank you all for your continued support at this difficult time.
“Almost four weeks on and we are still no further in finding our beautiful boy.
“He was only four days into his holiday and his disappearance still remains a mystery.
“We are still here in Tenerife searching daily with the help of volunteers and local hiking groups.
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Jay Slater went missing in Tenerife on June 17PA “Paul is also still working tirelessly, which we are so grateful for and send him so much love and respect.
“As you all know the Guardia Civil gave up the land search after 12 days.
“We have been actively working with search and rescue teams and we can now confirm that we have a team of experts flying in over the weekend from the Netherlands, who will carry on the search with their specialist dogs.
“We are only able to fund this with the generosity of all those who donated.
Jay Slater had been in Tenerife for the NRG music festival when he disappearedPA“The team are the Signi Zoekhondon and this has taken lots of planning to get them over so thank you so much for your kindness.
“Jay is just a normal hardworking young lad from Lancashire who is very loved by all who know him.
“He is about to finish his three-year apprenticeship this month. Although we don’t have any answers to his disappearance we obviously have to remain positive.
“Please continue to pray for him and our family. There is a lot of negativity unfortunately and this is adding to the heartbreak of the unknown.
The search for Jay Slater was called off on June 30REUTERS“So I would please just say send the love and positive thoughts to Jay, our beautiful son.”
Signi Zoekhondon used search dogs to locate survivors hidden under rubble following earthquakes in Morocco and Turkey last year.
Volunteer Marieke Krans told the BBC: “We are very committed to come and we are confident in the dogs and in ourselves.
“Our dogs are trained to find people, both alive or dead, and have more skills. They can search underwater, and up mountains, whatever it may be.
A view of the Guardia Civil agents and volunteers during the search for the young Briton Jay Slater in the Masca ravineReuters“They are really creative and that means there is more we can do. We will go where the dogs lead us.”
Slater disappeared on June 17 after heading to Tenerife with pals.
He was last seen leaving an Airbnb after travelling with two men following a rave on the Veronicas Strip in Playa de las Américas.
Slater called Law saying he was lost, thirsty and running out of phone battery.
Spanish authorities called off an official search after a fortnight but continue to look for leads.