Friends searching for Hull hiker missing in Italy 'optimistic'
Matthew Hall, from Hull, was last seen a week ago leaving a B&B in the town of Chiavenna. He sent a photo to a friend later that afternoon from a mountain but has not been heard from since.
Seven of Mr Hall's friends and six of his work colleagues have flown out to Italy to assist in the search, which involves five rescue teams and three helicopters.
Speaking to ITV News from Italy, friend Jacob White said: "We're still quite optimistic. Everyone's quite optimistic about it.
"Nobody's ever been in this situation before or probably ever will again and we're all learning together and we're all doing a brave thing, I think, for Matthew."
Another of Mr Hall's friends, Benjamin Lee, said he had "mixed emotions, mixed feelings".
"You never think you're going to be in this situation. It's just feels surreal," he said.
David Wann added: "We're very hopeful we'll find him. It's very up and down. I think everyone's just trying to keep themselves together to find Matthew as quick as possible."
Mr Hall had been staying at B&B Ploncher and local police believe he may have headed toward Savogno or Dasile from Borgonuovo, or toward Pianazzola, Daloo, or Lagunch.
The group of friends has been working with the police and mountain rescue teams to offer what assistance and information they can.
Friend Sam Jackson said: "The local people have been absolutely brilliant. The local B&B where he was staying, they were absolutely fantastic with us. They offered all sorts of different kinds support, cars and the lot.
"The local police have been good, we've met the mayor and he's assured us he would give us all the help he can give as a small town. Everywhere's been really helpful."
"We're all a tight group of mates. So being with these lot, all of us here together, is important I think, just for ourselves in general."
Mr White said: "There's continuous support coming back from home and around the world, as far as Austalia. And it's quite touching really to see how many people have pulled together at the drop of a hat for Matthew. It's pretty wild."
Mr Hall is 5ft 6ins tall and athletic with curly brown hair. It is thought he was wearing a beige T-shirt and carrying a black backpack on the day he was last seen.
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