An experienced British climber has been meticulously searching the Masca ravine in Tenerife – an area difficult for even police to access – in the ongoing search for missing teen Jay Slater,
Paul Arnott, a 29-year-old climber from Flitwick in Bedfordshire, took it upon himself to explore the rugged terrain after Jay's best friend reported hearing the missing Brit slip during their last phone conversation.
Arnott canceled a charity event to join the search efforts, reaching parts of the ravine previously inaccessible to search teams.
He was seen examining the area for any signs of Jay, particularly looking for downward skid marks that might indicate where the teen had gone.
Arnott told the BBC: “I understand these environments and their challenges. I know how harsh and intimidating they can be without the proper experience.”
He added: “You have to be the best person you can be.
“I spend all my time in the mountains. I've assisted search and rescue in Scotland before. It's what I do.”
“Drones and helicopters are good but they don't pick up everything,” Arnott explained.
“You're going to be looking at the most hazardous areas such as ravines and areas [where] there's potential for rock falls.”
Jay Slater, 19, disappeared after heading to Masca following a rave at the NRG festival.