Australian man dies after falling down ravine on Inca Trail

An Australian man died after falling down a ravine while hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru, local authorities said.

Members of the High Mountain Rescue Unit in Cusco found the body of Matthew Cameron Paton, 53, on Thursday about 300 meters down an abyss near the “50 Gradas” section of the trail.

Police said Paton, who arrived in Cusco about 12 days ago with his wife, was reported missing Wednesday after he fell through a broken railing while hiking with a group of tourists and a guide.

Authorities will investigate the cause of the fall, and Paton’s body is expected to be transferred to a nearby town.

Cusco Police Region Chief General Virgilio Velasquez said search and rescue operations began Wednesday after he received reports of the missing man.

“We have information indicating that he apparently tripped while crossing a wooden bridge and he likely tried to hold onto the wooden railing,” Velasquez said, according to Peruvian news outlet Andina.

“But it gave way and he slipped into the abyss along with it. Unfortunately, he fell down the ravine,” Velasquez added.

In a statement, a spokesman for the Police Association of Victoria (TPAV) said its staff and members were 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,” the association said.

The BBC has contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for comment.