Australian man dies after falling 400m while hiking Peru’s Inca Trail – National
An Australian man has died in Peru after falling on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, according to local authorities.
Members of the High Mountain Rescue Unit in the city of Cusco, where Machu Picchu is located, found the body of Matthew Cameron Paton, 52, a sergeant of the Victoria Police Department, on Thursday about 400 meters on a slope near the “50 Gradas” part of the trail, according to local outlet TVPerú Noticias.
Paton was reported missing on Wednesday after falling on a broken railway line while hiking a trail in the Peruvian mountains with a group of tourists and a guide, police told the BBC.
Cusco Regional Police Chief General Virgilio Velasquez told TVPerú Noticias that the police “have information that indicates that he tripped while crossing the wooden bridge.”
“It is possible that he tried to grab the wooden beam, but he failed and it went into the abyss with him. Unfortunately, he fell to the ground,” said Velasquez.
The police chief said that Paton’s body will be transferred to the town of Machu Picchu, in Aguas Calientes.
Velasquez said Paton was with his wife at the time of the accident, and the two had arrived in Peru as part of a trip.
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“At the time of the accident, he was accompanied by his wife who came with him from Australia. The deceased was a police officer by profession, and they were in Cusco for 12 days as tourists,” said Velásquez.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash.
Global News reached out to the Cusco Police District and the High Mountain Rescue Division of Peru’s National Police for further comment, but has yet to receive a response.
The Victoria Police Department confirmed Paton’s death in a statement sent to Global News, saying, “Victoria Police have confirmed that one of their members has tragically died after falling while hiking the Inca Trail in Peru.”
“The body of Sergeant Matt Paton was sadly found this morning. We are contacting his wife Jane who was on holiday with him and the family is flying to Peru from Australia. Local authorities are investigating the circumstances of the accident,” said police, noting that the Australian embassy, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Federal Police are assisting in the investigation.
“Victoria Police is doing everything it can to provide any support,” the statement continued. “Matt, 52, joined Victoria Police in 2009, initially working at Cranbourne and Rosebud police stations before becoming an instructor at the Victoria Police Academy in 2017.”
Victoria Police said Paton’s passion for educating recruits led to a variety of other roles, including facilitating training for officers who respond to mental health incidents.
“He was recently appointed to the position of sergeant major and was supposed to start in this role next month,” the police added.
“A proud Queenslander, he was an avid fan of the Maroons and Brisbane Lions. Matt loved to travel, explore historical and cultural sites. He is survived by his wife and three children Ainsley, Luke and Meg,” said the Victoria Police Department.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said the thoughts of everyone at Victoria Police “are with Matt’s family and friends at this time.”
“Matt has served with honors for 16 years, most recently as an instructor at the Victoria Police Academy,” said Bush. “His colleagues and the entire police family are devastated by the loss of a wonderful, caring person.”
Bush added that Paton will be remembered for his dedication, wonderful sense of humor, extreme kindness and inclusiveness.”
The Blue Ribbon Foundation, which commemorates members of Victoria Police killed in the line of duty, shared a statement on Paton’s death, writing, “It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Victoria Police Sergeant Matt Paton, who tragically lost his life while hiking the Inca Trail in Peru.”
“Sgt Paton served our community with dedication and commitment. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of working with him,” the statement continued. “To Matt’s family – we cannot imagine the pain you are going through right now. Please know that the Blue Ribbon community stands with you, and that you are in our thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.”
The Inca Trail, a 43-kilometer, four-day journey, is the most popular hiking route to Machu Picchu, with stops at archaeological sites such as Patallacta, Runkuracay, Sayacmarca and Wiñayhuayna, according to its website.
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