A British hiker has been found dead in the Italian Alps a week after he went missing on a solo trip. Matthew Hall, 33, from Hull, disappeared on July 9 after sending a text message to a friend saying he had taken a wrong turn and had decided to rest. Italian police told Mr Hall’s family that he was missing later the same day. A search operation was launched, involving three helicopters, mountain rescue teams and a drone. On Wednesday evening, his body was discovered in a steep gully near the Cross of Daloo, a mountaintop viewpoint above the town of Chiavenna, where he had been staying since July 5. A helicopter was sent to assist with the recovery. Some of Mr Hall’s friends and colleagues at a broadband company travelled to Italy to help look for him, and said they were devastated by the loss. “We all absolutely loved him. At least we are bringing him home, back to where he should be,” said Sam Jackson, who was part of the search. Speaking to the BBC, Mr Jackson said the group had been optimistic they would find Mr Hall, and thanked police, rescue workers and the local community for giving them help and support. “They have found our pal,” he said. Mr Jackson said Mr Hall loved snowboarding, skateboarding, and watching his local rugby league team, Hull KR. Mr Hall’s mother arrived in Italy on Wednesday and his father is expected to join her on Friday. He was known to be a confident hiker with knowledge of mountains and rough terrain. It is thought that he was planning an eight-hour trek on the day of his disappearance. A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Italy and are in contact with the local authorities.”