Philip Norton
BBC News
Report from fromchiavenna, ItalySubmitted
Matthew Hall was known to be a confident walker with knowledge of sturdy terrain.
A rescue team searching for British Matthew Hall in the Italian Alps finds his body.
The discovery took place on Wednesday evening near the cross in Daru, a mountain perspective above the town of Chiavenna, where the 33-year-old was staying.
Hall, originally from Hull, went missing on July 9th. Italian police said his family had been notified.
Sam Jackson, who traveled to Italy to join the search, said everyone was shocked to lose a “great” friend.
“We all absolutely loved him,” he added. “At least we’ll take him home. We’ll be back where he should be.”
A foreign ministry spokesperson said, “We have died in Italy and are supporting British families who are in contact with local authorities.”
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Hall sent a friend a photo of Daru’s cross on the day he went missing, leading to searching for trails in the area.
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 texting friend that he had gone in the wrong direction and rested.
Gim Toni de Masi said the body was found at 7pm local time in the gap in the area where Hall sent the message.
Due to the dangers associated with reaching the body, helicopters were brought in to help with recovery.
Hall’s mother arrived in Italy on Wednesday. His father is expected to arrive Friday, officers added.
Philip Norton/BBC
Sam Jackson praised the Chiavenna people for their help
More than dozens of Mr Hall’s friends and colleagues traveled to Italy to participate in the search.
They said three helicopters, multiple mountain rescue teams, police and a professional drone were working 24 hours a day to find him.
Mr Jackson spoke to the Italian BBC and said the group was optimistic that they would find him.
In honor of his friends, he said he loves Mr. Hall snowboarding, skateboarding and watching Hal KR on the local rugby league side.
Italian police, rescuers and the Chiavenna community were giving them “surprising” help and support.
“They found our guys,” Jackson added.
Philip Norton/BBC
The friends of Matthew Hall traveled to Italy to help with their search
Hall began his solo hiking trip on July 5th and was due to fly from Milan to Manchester on July 12th. He was known to be a confident pedestrian with knowledge of mountains and sturdy terrain.
In a statement, the employer of broadband company Quickline, Hall said:
“Matt is a very beloved and respected member of the Quickline team and our thinking is with his family, friends and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time.”
