THE mum of a Brit who vanished while hiking in Italy says she “just wants him home” as a major search operation continues.
Matthew Hall has been missing for five days after he went for a trek in the Italian Alps.
The 33-year-old from Hull had been due to fly back to Britain at the weekend, but his whereabouts have been unknown since July 9.
A final text to a friend before his disappearance reads: “I lost the path and stopped to rest”.
His mother Sara Foster told BBC News: “I’m very wobbly at the moment, obviously, but I’m really trying to stay positive.”
Matthew is understood to have been planning an eight-hour trek before he vanished.
He had been staying at the B&B Ploncher in Chiavenna, and hotel staff reportedly raised concerns when he did not show up for check out.
When they went to his room, his belongings and documents were still there except his backpack – and his phone was turned off.
Before his disappearance he was reportedly spotted by staff at the ‘All Right’ pub on July 7.
According to Italian media reports, he might have been heading towards Savogno or Dasile, starting from Borgonuovo.
Alternatively, he might have been going towards Pianazzola, Daloo or Lagunch, starting from Chiavenna.
He had sent a photo of the cross at Alpe Daloo near San Giacomo Filippo to his friends before his disappearance, the BBC has reported.
His mum said: “We’d got lots of photos from him from the Saturday to the Monday and then it seemed to be a blank.
“If you’re walking around Chiavenna just keep an eye out. We just want him to come home.”
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British man missing in Italy and are in contact with the local authorities.”
Matthew is described as being around 5ft 10in and with brown hair.
Search operations are underway, with rescue teams scouring the area to establish his likely location.
The Prefecture is overseeing the operation, which involves the Carabinieri, the Guardia di Finanza, and the Alpine Rescue team.
Sara praised the work of the police and rescue services, adding she is “so impressed” at how they’ve kept her updated.
She said her son is a Hull KR fan who “loves his trails and walking”.
He lives round the corner from her with his cat Betty, she added.
Matthew is believed to have been wearing beige top and had a black backpack with him when he vanished.
Anyone with information regarding Matthew’s whereabouts is urged to contact law enforcement.
