Lauded Victorian police officer tragically dies after falling through damaged security barrier on Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
An Australian man has died after he tripped and fell through a damaged security barrier while walking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with his wife.
Matthew Cameron Paton, 53, was walking in a group of tourists when he plunged up to 400metres about 2pm on Wednesday, local time, the ABC reports.
The area where Mr Paton fell, near the Intipunku entrance to the trail, is understood to be difficult for rescue crews to access.
Following extensive efforts, his body was retrieved on Thursday.
Authorities expect to transport his body to the Peruvian capital, Cusco, in the coming hours.
Officials said Mr Paton, a Victorian Police officer, had been travelling with his wife as they headed to the 500-year-old world heritage site.
Cusco Police Command Chief Police General Virgilio Velasquez told local media that Paton tripped while crossing a bridge.
‘We have information indicating that he apparently tripped while crossing a wooden bridge, and he likely tried to hold onto the wooden railing, but it gave way and he slipped into the abyss along with it,’ General Velasquez said.
An Australian man has died after he tripped and fell through a damaged security barrier while walking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with his wife (rescue crews are pictured)
Local authorities say the Australian fell about 400metres
Machu Picchu is visited by 1.5million people annually, making it Peru’s most visited international tourist destination
‘Unfortunately, he fell down the ravine.’
The Inca Trail is a 42km hiking trail that winds through the Peruvian mountains.
Renowned globally, it takes two to five days to traverse high mountain passes before culminating at the Sun Gate entrance of Machu Picchu.
The trek is challenging and requires a good level of fitness, particularly as it involves navigating thousands of uneven stone steps at high altitude. Machu Picchu sits 2840m above sea level.
A statement from the Police Association of Victoria said: ‘The Police Association, its staff and members are shocked and saddened by the loss of one of our members in a tragic accident overseas.’
‘Matt’s contribution to policing, through both his role in training police and as a TPAV Assistant Delegate, was representative of the care and concern he had for his colleagues and his want to give back to policing,’ it continued.
‘We’ve offered our heartfelt condolences to Matt’s family and our welfare team is working with Victoria Police to provide them support.’
Daily Mail contacted the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for comment.
More to come.
