"Missing Scots hiker" found by Jay Slater search team in Tenerife 'didn’t need rescued'

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Scots tourist who was out hiking in Tenerife before getting found by search teams out looking for missing teen Jay Slater says he didn't need rescuing.David Larkin, who now lives in Hackney, London has spoken out to clear the air and clarified he didn't "want to appear ungrateful" and "thanked them for their concern but I was fine".The 51-year-old had been walking in Tenerife close to where the youngster was last seen when rescuers thought he needed saving too.Following the incident Spanish Police posted on their Facebook page about their "success" claiming they "rushed to the rescue of a 51-year-old Scottish hiker".But now David has spoken to journalists about the embarrassing mix up and explained: "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, reports the Mirror."I explained to them I had water, I was wearing layers, I had my rucksack with food and I'm an experienced hiker."Mr Larkin, a former director of a housing project based in Hackney, arrived in Tenerife earlier this month and is staying in a one-bedroom hut on the edge of a cliff while going on treks across the park.He continued: "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 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."I'm actually embarrassed about this, I had my poles and I know what I'm doing and I knew that if it could get windy I would take shelter in a cave.