Updated ,first published
A Victoria Police officer has died after falling down a ravine while hiking the Inca Trail in Peru.
Matthew Paton, 52, tripped and fell up to 400 metres during a trek with other tourists and a guide at the world-famous walk to Machu Picchu, according to local police.
Victoria Police shared a statement from Paton’s family – his wife and three children, Ainsley, Luke and Meg – who said they were “shattered”.
“It seems surreal at the moment – everyone is bereft. Family was the most important thing to Matt. He was dedicated to his family including his wife of 31 years and their three children. He adored his family. And we adored him.”
“If you were in trouble he was the guy you wanted to have around because he would come to your aid. He was the guy who stopped on the side of the road to help people change tyres.”
The family also said Paton enjoyed educating people: “Even in the last week he was posting videos of primary school students marching in Peru and telling his recruits here that they could learn a thing or two in a joking manner.”
Victoria Police said they were providing support to Paton’s family.
“The thoughts of everyone at Victoria Police are with Matt’s family and friends at this time,” said Commissioner Mike Bush.
“Matt had the ability to talk to anyone and everyone. The morale and welfare of his friends and workmates was always his priority.”
“He will be remembered for his selflessness, amazing sense of humour, extreme kindness and inclusion of all.”
Born in Queensland, Paton was “a passionate follower of the Maroons and Brisbane Lions” and “loved travelling, exploring historic sites and cultures” police said.
He joined the force later in life, after training as an accountant and a career in retail.
“He wanted to have a career where he was doing something that he could be proud of, which is why he joined Victoria Police later in life,” his family said.
“He really thought that he was doing something worthwhile. We were incredibly proud of him – the work he was doing, including with recruits at the police academy.”
Cusco Police Region Chief General Virgilio Velasquez said Paton 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 told local media.
Paton’s body was found in an abyss along the trail by members of Cusco’s High Mountain Rescue Unit on Thursday afternoon (Lima time), local media said.
The area was difficult to access and TVPeru Noticias reported there was no telephone signal and only radio communications.
A spokesperson for The Police Association of Victoria said it was “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 spokesperson said in a statement.
Local authorities said they would investigate the circumstances surrounding the fall.
They were waiting for Paton’s body to be recovered so it could be transferred to Machu Picchu Pueblo, the town at the base of the 15th-century Inca citadel, and then to the city of Urubamba.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was providing consular assistance to Paton’s family. “We send our deepest condolences,” a spokesperson said.
The Inca Trail is a 43-kilometre trek through the Andes along a pathway cut by ancient Incans, finishing at the iconic Incan ruins of Machu Picchu.
Reflecting the route’s popularity, no more than 500 people a day are allowed to start the trek, and it is recommended that people book half a year before they plan to walk it. It can only be undertaken with guides, and with an elevation between 2000 and 4000 metres above sea level, trekkers are at risk of altitude sickness at certain stages.
Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on what’s making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
