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, 52, was walking in a group of tourists when he plunged as much as 400 metres at 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 sergeant, 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)
Matthew Cameron Paton fell to his death while walking the Inca Trail in Peru on Wednesday
Local authorities say the Australian fell about 400metres
‘Unfortunately, he fell down the ravine.’
Victoria Police confirmed Sergeant Paton’s death in a statement.
‘We are in contact with his wife Jane who was with him on holiday and family are flying to Peru from Australia … Victoria Police is doing everything in its power to provide whatever support it can,’ the statement read.
‘Matt, 52, joined Victoria Police in 2009, initially serving at Cranbourne and Rosebud police stations before becoming an instructor at the Victoria Police Academy in 2017.
‘His passion for teaching recruits led to a number of other roles, including facilitating training for police responding to mental health events.
‘A proud Queenslander, he was a passionate follower of the Maroons and Brisbane Lions. Matt loved travelling, exploring historic sites and cultures. He is survived by his wife and three children Ainsley, Luke and Meg.’
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.
Machu Picchu is visited by 1.5million people annually, making it Peru’s most visited international tourist destination
Mr Paton has been remembered by Victoria Police for his passion for teaching recruits
‘We’ve offered our heartfelt condolences to Matt’s family and our welfare team is working with Victoria Police to provide them support.’
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 2,840m above sea level.
Daily Mail contacted the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for comment.
More to come.
