An Australian tourist has died after falling into a ravine while hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru.
Matthew Payton’s body was discovered Thursday night local time, his employer, Victoria Police, told CNN in a statement. CNN affiliate Australia’s 9News reported that he fell from the mountain trail at 2pm on Wednesday.
The 52-year-old father of three fell from 400 to 500 meters (approximately 1,300 to 1,600 feet) during a difficult section of the hike, 9News reported.
Peyton, 52, was in Peru with his wife to hike the Inca Trail. The Inca Trail is a popular route that ends at Machu Picchu, a fortress built by the Incas in the 15th century.
The 42-kilometre route passes through rugged mountain terrain and reaches an altitude of 4,200 meters (approximately 13,800 feet).
Victoria Police said Mr Peyton “loved to travel and loved exploring historical sites and culture”.
Peyton’s family was on their way to Peru.
In a statement released by Victoria Police, the family said: “We are devastated by the loss. It seems surreal at the moment. It’s a loss for everyone.”
Peyton was “always on an adventure” and “always wanted to travel to Peru,” her family said, going so far as to learn Spanish in preparation for the trip.
Peyton joined Victoria Police in 2009 and became an instructor at the Victoria Police Academy in 2017.
He was scheduled to begin his new role as senior sergeant next month.
Victoria Police Commissioner Mike Bush said: “His colleagues and the entire police family are devastated by the tragic loss of a wonderful, caring man.”
CNN has contacted Peru’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism Police and the Australian Embassy in Lima for comment.
The Inca Trail takes hikers from the Urubamba River near Cusco to the ruins of Machu Picchu. The hike usually takes four days.
According to government statistics, 1.5 million people visited this place last year. As an alternative to hiking, you can take the train from Cusco to nearby Aguas Calientes. In December, a train accident occurred on the same line, killing one person and injuring 30 others.
