British backpacker goes missing on jungle trek

A British student has disappeared while backpacking in South America.

A British student has disappeared while backpacking in South America.

Luke Dance, 19, a student at Loughborough University, was last seen on 29 August when he left fellow backpackers in the Bolivian capital, La Paz. He told family and friends that he planned to go trekking through sub-tropical jungle in the Yonga region of the country, before travelling by bus to Arequipa in southern Peru. He was due to meet friends at Lima airport in Peru last Friday for the return flight to Britain.

Det Sgt Michael Beard, of Crawley CID, said: "There is real concern now because he hasn't been heard from for three weeks. Previously he had kept in weekly contact with his family via the internet and there are numerous sites available in the region.

"They have not heard from him and are naturally very concerned about the situation. The Foreign Office and Interpol have been informed."

Michael Dance, Luke's father, from Climping, near Littlehampton in West Sussex, will fly to South America next week. He said: "I'm sure he is still alive. I plan to get a plane there and follow the route he would have taken. I won't give up until I find him. I have faith in him - he has a lot of common sense and a strong will."