Victoria police sergeant dies after fall on Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
A Victorian police sergeant was found dead after a fall on the Inca Trail, highlighting the steep terrain and rescue limits around Machu Picchu.
Matthew Cameron Paton, 53, was found dead on Thursday after falling on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, a route where steep drops and difficult access can turn a single misstep into a rescue operation measured in hours, not minutes.
Cusco police said Paton was walking with a group of tourists near the 50 Gradas section of the trail when he reportedly tripped and fell through a damaged security barrier about 2pm on Wednesday local time. Authorities said he may have fallen as much as 400 metres into a difficult-to-reach area near the Intipunku entrance, and the body was found about 300 metres down a steep slope.
Virgilio Velasquez, the Cusco Police Region chief, said Paton likely tried to hold onto a wooden railing before it gave way and he slipped into the abyss. The High Mountain Rescue Unit in Cusco located the body and was expected to transport it to the city for further handling.
The death drew attention again to the hazards along the route to Machu Picchu, one of the world’s most visited trekking corridors and a place where the landscape itself creates the danger. The citadel sits about 2,430 metres above sea level inside the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage property, where narrow paths, uneven steps and exposed edges can make recovery from a fall extremely difficult.
The incident also highlights the limits of emergency response in the Andes. In remote sections near Intipunku, access for rescuers can be slow and complex, especially when a fall sends someone over a barrier or down a ravine. Even on a heavily traveled trail, terrain can defeat the protections meant to keep hikers on the path.
Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade travel advice for Peru warns that protests and strikes can disrupt transport to and from Machu Picchu, adding another layer of uncertainty for travelers moving through the region. The warning underscores that safety in the area is shaped not only by the mountain trail itself, but also by access, transport and the ability of local authorities to respond quickly when something goes wrong.
Paton’s death adds to the small number of publicly reported fatal accidents at or near Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, a reminder that the route’s global fame does not blunt its risks.
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