Brit hiker ‘rescued’ by Jay Slater search team insists he DIDN’T need saving amid chaotic hunt for missing teen

A BRITISH hiker found by cops searching for Jay Slater in Tenerife has insisted he “did not need rescuing”.

David Larkin, 51, was picked up by search crews scouring a desolate park close to where the teen was last seen.

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Rescue workers have been searching for Jay for more than a week[/caption]

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Jay Slater, 19, has been missing for a week[/caption]

Local cops boasted how they saved a “tired and disorientated” David from the mountainous terrain on Friday while looking for Jay.

But David – who calls himself an “experienced” hiker – has rubbished their side of the story and said he knew what he was doing.

David, who lives in Scotland, told The Mail: “I can tell you now; I wasn’t tired and I wasn’t disoriented, and I didn’t need rescuing.

“I think there was a lot lost in translation when they saw him and I explained to them I had water, I was wearing layers, I had my rucksack with food and I’m an experienced hiker.

“I think they want to show how good they are, but I certainly didn’t saving. I feel so sorry for the boy’s family and hope he’s found soon.”

David, originally from Northern Ireland, said he felt “embarrassed” as he knows the trails well and did not need help.

He arrived on the island earlier this month and has been staying at a remote one-bedroom hut on the edge of a cliff.

David added: “I went into the canyon and I saw the helicopters looking and thought they were looking for the lad but I didn’t for one minute think they would end up picking me up.

“I don’t want to appear ungrateful, and I thanked them for their concern but I was fine.”

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