Body found in search for hiker missing in Italy

Rescue teams searching for British man Matthew Hall in the Italian Alps have found a body.

The discovery was made on Wednesday evening close to the Cross of Daloo, a mountain viewpoint high above the town of Chiavenna, where the 33-year-old had been staying.

Mr Hall, from Hull, went missing on 9 July. Italian police said his family had been informed.

Sam Jackson, who travelled to Italy to join the search, said everyone was in shock at the loss of an "amazing" friend.

"We all absolutely loved him," he added. "At least we are bringing him home – back to where he should be."

A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said: "We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Italy and are in contact with the local authorities."

Mr Hall was staying at the B&B Ploncher hotel when he went missing.

He was thought to have planned an eight-hour trek, but told a friend in a text message he had taken a wrong turn and was having a rest.

Lt Gim Toni De Masi said a body was found at 19:00 local time in a crevice in the area from where Mr Hall sent the message.

Due to the danger involved in reaching the body, a helicopter was brought in to assist with the recovery.

Mr Hall's mother arrived in Italy on Wednesday. His father is expected to arrive on Friday, the officer added.

More than a dozen of Mr Hall's friends and colleagues travelled to Italy to join the search.

They said three helicopters, multiple mountain rescue teams, police and a specialist drone had been working around the clock to try to find him.

Speaking to the BBC in Italy, Mr Jackson said the group had been optimistic that they would find him.

Paying tribute to his friend, he said Mr Hall loved snowboarding, skateboarding and watching his local rugby league side Hull KR.

The Italian police, rescue workers and the community in Chiavenna had given them "amazing" help and support.

"They have found our pal," Mr Jackson added.

Mr Hall began his solo hiking trip on 5 July and had been due to fly back from Milan to Manchester on 12 July. He was known to be a confident walker with knowledge of mountains and rugged terrain.

In a statement, Mr Hall's employer, the broadband firm Quickline, said: "We are devastated to learn that our colleague Matt, who was reported missing while on holiday in Italy, has sadly been found dead.

"Matt was a much-loved and respected member of the Quickline team and our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this incredibly difficult time."

Analysis by Phillip Norton

Steep trails lead to a huge wooden cross towering over the valley and the town of Chiavenna below. A plaque at the base of the cross marks its height. 1,100m above sea level.

The spectacular vista from this high altitude viewpoint beside the tiny mountain village of Daloo would have been everything Matthew Hall hoped to see on his hiking trip.

We know Matthew reached this point to enjoy the view before he disappeared; he proudly shared a photo he had taken of the cross with friends back home.

Sadly, but almost fortuitously, it was among the holiday snaps he had taken that would ultimately lead search teams to the area where his body was found.

As night began to fall on Wednesday, and town centre restaurants filled with people enjoying the warm evening, the sound of a rescue helicopter grew louder. People here had become used to the noise during the search, but the timing seemed odd as it hovered above.

Police say the helicopter was needed to help recover Matthew's body, discovered in a dangerous crevice, close to the Cross of Daloo.

His friends who flew here to help with the search soon learned the devastating news. They raised a glass, and toasted a life well lived.

That so many of them travelled here to help, taken to heart and looked after by the locals, spoke volumes about their friendship and efforts here, all carried out with such dignity. They are so grateful for the work of rescuers, and the love and support shown by the town of Chiavenna.

It was not the day any of them ever wanted to see. But as their journeys home begin, they take a degree of comfort knowing Matthew will also return to his family, his friends, and the people of Hull who loved him.

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