Jay Slater: Local says 'it's hard to understand how he got there' - as new search of area launched

The remote valley in Tenerife where the body of Jay Slater were discovered is being searched again by rescue teams.

One of the dog search teams has been working close to where mountain rescuers made the discovery and where some of the 19-year-old's possessions and clothing were found.

They are continuing their work to ensure that nothing is missed in the thick undergrowth that covers the remote area near the village of Masca.

The valley being searched is about a mile from where Mr Slater was last seen and close to where his mobile phone was last traced.

One local told Sky News it is "exceptionally difficult" to safely navigate down the valley on foot.

Another resident said: "It is sad - the spot where they found him shows he had gone a long way into the ravine.

"It is hard to understand how he got there."

Footage released by the Guardia Civil on Tenerife on Tuesday morning demonstrates just how difficult the terrain is to search.

On Monday, LBT Global - a British overseas missing persons charity working with the Slater family - said the body found "does look to be that of Jay Slater" but formal identification is yet to be carried out.

And the High Court in Tenerife then confirmed that the body had been identified as Jay Slater's.

Mr Slater's friend Lucy Law, who was one of the last people to speak to him, posted an emotional statement after the discovery, describing him as "always the happiest and most smiley person in the room".

"You was one of a kind Jay and you'll be missed more than you know," Ms Law wrote.

"I'm sure you'll 'have your dancing shoes polished and ready' waiting for us all."

Read more:
'You should be ashamed': Anger in Jay Slater groups
A timeline of Jay Slater's disappearance

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Mr Slater was reported missing on the morning of 17 June after attending a music festival in the southern resort of Playa de las Americas. He told Ms Law that he was lost, needed water and his phone was on 1% battery.

He said he would set off to walk from a northern area of the island back to his holiday accommodation in Los Cristianos - a journey of about 11 hours.

On Sunday, before her son's body was found, Debbie Duncan said the family "cannot put into words" the heartache they have been through.

She said her son was "loved by everyone and has a close bond with his family and many, many friends".