A BRIT hiker has been missing for five days in the Italian Alps, and the last text before his disappearance has been revealed.
A major search operation has been launched to find Matthew Hall, 33, who went missing on July 9.
A search is underway for Brit hiker, Matthew Hall 33Facebook
The search operation was launched after Matthew failed to show up to check out of his bed and breakfastFacebook
FacebookHis last known sighting was at the ‘All Right’ pub on July 7[/caption]
In a final text before his disappearance, the hiker told a friend: “I lost the path and stopped to rest”.
Subsequent attempts to contact him have been unsuccessful.
The search operation was launched after Matthew failed to show up to check out of his bed and breakfast in Chiavenna.
His last known sighting was at the ‘All Right’ pub on July 7 – where staff reportedly saw him.
Matthew is described as being around 1.78 m tall and with brown hair.
He is believed to have asked hotel staff for directions to hikes in the area upon his arrival.
They pointed him in the direction of several scenic hiking routes.
While he hadn’t collected his breakfast for a few days, the hotel owners were not concerned and assumed he had left for early morning hikes, the MailOnline has reported.
It wasn’t until he failed to show up for checkout that they saw his absence as a concern.
When the hotel owners entered his room, his belongings and documents were still there.
His backpack was not in the room, however, and his phone was turned off.
He had been due to return to England on July 13.
Search and rescue operations were launched the same day, with teams combing the area to establish his likely location.
The operation is being coordinated by the Prefecture – and involves the Carabinieri, the Guardia di Finanza, and the Alpine Rescue team.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact law enforcement.
More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online
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