A New Zealand man has died in Peru due to Covid-19.
Edward Spencer Storey was 49 and died at Easter while trying to get back to New Zealand.
Speaking to 1 NEWS, his mother Delysse Storey said the death came as a complete shock.
She said her son was a “real humanitarian”, and had been enjoying his time overseas. However, as Peru’s Covid-19 outbreak worsened, the 49-year-old was forced to end his trip early.
Mr Storey was trekking the Inca Trail and was meant to be on the Government's charter flight to come back to New Zealand.
Ms Storey said the last contact the family had with her son was on April 7, and when he failed to board the plane, they became concerned.
They filed a report with authorities, and his body was found in the south-eastern city of Cusco a few days later.
He’d been renting an apartment, as hotels and hostels were shutting down.
While Mr Storey hadn’t told his family he was feeling unwell, Ms Storey said authorities determined he’d died because of the virus.
She said this was why New Zealand should be heeding lockdown measures, and her son's death was a reminder that anyone can fall ill because of coronavirus.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement: "Our Embassy in Chile is liaising closely with the Peruvian authorities regarding the death of a New Zealander in Peru, and consular assistance is being provided to the family."
A service will be held once Mr Storey's body is returned to New Zealand.
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