A Tragic Incident on the Inca Trail
An Australian man has tragically lost his life in Peru after falling from a mountain path while walking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The incident occurred when Matthew Paton, a 52-year-old Victoria Police sergeant, tripped and fell through a damaged security barrier during a group walk around 2 pm on Wednesday, local time, according to local police.
Paton is believed to have fallen up to 400 metres in a difficult-to-access area near the Inti Punku entrance to the Inca Trail. This location is known for its steep incline of large, irregular stone steps that lead to the Sun Gate, which marks the traditional entrance to Machu Picchu. Authorities have confirmed that Paton’s body was found and retrieved on Thursday and transported to the Aguas Calientes township, commonly referred to as the Machu Picchu pueblo.
The police commissioner of Machu Picchu, Lieutenant Abel Bejarano Cuyotupac, issued an alert stating that Paton had been reported missing. According to preliminary information, the visitor had fallen from a cliff in a zone close to the “50 Steps” sector. The area is one of the last stops on the Inca Trail before reaching the historical site.
Authorities have contacted the Australian Embassy in Peru and are expected to transport Paton’s body to the Peruvian city of Cusco today. Paton was traveling in Peru with his wife, officials said. His family released a statement expressing their devastation over his death.
A Life of Service and Adventure
Sergeant Paton was described by his family as a “career military man,” accountant, black belt in karate, and someone who had studied Spanish. He was also noted for his love of being an educator. The family emphasized that family was the most important thing to Paton, highlighting his dedication to his wife of 31 years and their three children.
“He was the guy you wanted to have around because he would come to your aid,” the statement read. “He would stop on the side of the road to help people change tyres. He wanted to have a career where he was doing something he could be proud of, which is why he joined Victoria Police later in life.”
Paton’s passion for teaching recruits led to various roles, including facilitating training for police responding to mental health events. He was recently selected for a senior sergeant position and was due to start in the role next month.
A Community in Mourning
Victoria Police described the incident as a “tragedy.” They are in contact with Paton’s wife, Jane, who was with him on holiday, and the family is flying to Peru from Australia. The department stated it is doing everything in its power to provide support.
“Matt, 52, joined Victoria Police in 2009, initially serving at Cranbourne and Rosebud police stations before becoming an instructor at the Victoria Police Academy in 2017,” a statement read. “His passion for teaching recruits led to a number of other roles, including facilitating training for police responding to mental health events.”
Chief Commissioner Mike Bush of Victoria Police praised Paton for his service, saying he “served with distinction for 16 years.” He highlighted Paton’s ability to talk to anyone and everyone, emphasizing his priority for the morale and welfare of his colleagues.
The Inca Trail and Its Challenges
The Inca Trail is a 42-kilometre hiking trail that winds through the Peruvian mountains to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Machu Picchu historical site. More than 1.6 million people visit the site each year, though a flexible cap of 500 hikers per day is in place for the Inca Trail.
The ancient Incan city was closed entirely in 2023 amid nationwide protests that led to dozens of deaths and injuries. Last year, two trains collided on the railway connecting Machu Picchu to the outskirts of Cusco, killing a driver and injuring at least 30 tourists.
