Reader TTS

MEDICAL EVIDENCE WAS GIVEN IN COURT AMY FENTON and STEPHEN TOPPING Senior reporter 12:02, 21 May 2025Updated 12:19, 21 May 2025 Jay Slater's death was "either instantaneous or

extremely quick" after he suffered a "heavy fall from height", an inquest has heard. Jay, an apprentice bricklayer, from Oswaldtwistle, had flown to Tenerife with friends last

June to attend the NRG music festival in Playa de las Americas. Jay had attended the music festival on the south of the island, before travelling north to a remote Airbnb in the Rural Parc

de Teno in the early hours of June 17. He disappeared after leaving the property on foot that morning, sparking a major search. The 19-year-old was found dead in the Juan Lopez ravine on

July 15 after a four-week search, the MEN reports. An inquest into Jay's death is being heard at Preston Coroner's Court this morning (May 21), with his family in attendance.

During the hearing, Home Office pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd gave medical to suggest Jay had suffered a "heavy fall from height" - and that the "devastating" effects

would have been immediate. Dr Shepherd said: "The pattern of injuries is entirely consistent with a heavy fall from height." Article continues below He added: "The injury is

so severe that I have no doubt at all that he would have been rendered immediately unconscious... death was either instantaneous or extremely quick." The pathologist gave a medical

cause of death as a head injury, adding that a CT scan showed a "severe fracture of the head". Spanish authorities also concluded that the cause of Jay's death was a severe

traumatic brain injury, he said. Jay's body had been found in a decomposed state, with "extensive changes" after 28 days in a hot environment, Dr Shepherd added. A toxicology

report found there was ecstasy in Jay's system, while a cocaine metabolite was also present, suggesting both cocaine and alcohol had been taken. Article continues below Dr Stephanie

Martin, toxicologist, told the inquest it was impossible to say when the drugs were taken but it was "likely within a day or so of his death". You can follow the latest updates

from Jay's inquest here.