Australian Hiker Dies After Fall on Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

An Australian tourist has died after falling into a ravine while hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru. The man, identified by authorities as 53-year-old Mathew Cameron Patron, was walking with a group of tourists and a guide when he fell on Wednesday afternoon.

According to Cusco Police Region Chief General Virgilio Velasquez, Patron and his wife arrived in the city twelve days ago and began a four-day journey on the trail from the Ollantaytambo district. Velasquez said preliminary information indicates the tourist tripped while crossing a wooden bridge. He likely attempted to hold onto the wooden railing, but it gave way, causing him to slip into an abyss along with the railing.

The body of the missing tourist was found by members of the Cusco High Mountain Rescue Unit on Thursday afternoon. Authorities are now waiting to recover the body so it can be transferred first to Machu Picchu Pueblo, the town at the base of the ancient citadel, and then to the city of Urubamba.

Police officials stated that authorities will investigate the circumstances surrounding the fall. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been contacted regarding the incident.