Cusco: An Australian tourist hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru has died after falling down a ravine, according to state-owned news agency Andina.
Andina reported on Friday that a body believed to be of Mathew Cameron Patron, 53, had been found in an abyss along the trail by members of Cusco’s High Mountain Rescue Unit (USAM) on Thursday afternoon.
Cusco Police Region Chief General Virgilio Velasquez said authorities believed Patron had tripped and fallen on Wednesday afternoon while walking with a group, including his wife and a guide.
Velasquez said Patron and his wife arrived in the city 12 days ago and headed to the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu from Ollantaytambo district, a four-day journey.
“We have information indicating that he apparently tripped while crossing a wooden bridge, and he likely tried to hold on to the wooden railing, but it gave way and he slipped into the abyss along with it. Unfortunately, he fell down the ravine,” Velasquez reportedly told Andina.
Authorities would investigate the circumstances surrounding the fall.
They were currently waiting for the body to be recovered so it could be transferred to Machu Picchu Pueblo, the town at the base of the Inca citadel, and then to the city of Urubamba for an autopsy, police said.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has been contacted for comment.
From our partners
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
