An 80-year-old woman has been found dead on a remote island in the Great Barrier Reef after she “failed to board” a cruise ship.
Queensland Police said the woman was reported missing on Saturday after the Coral Expeditions cruise stopped at Lizard Island, off the coast of Cooktown, about 320 kilometres north of Cairns.
Her body was discovered the following day by emergency services.
In a statement, Coral Expeditions chief executive Mark Fifield confirmed the “tragic death” of a passenger from the Coral Adventurer during an excursion to the island.
He said the crew alerted authorities when the woman was found to be missing on Saturday, prompting a “land and sea search”.
They were later notified by police that the woman had been found dead on the island.
Fifield said the company was cooperating fully with authorities.
“While investigations into the incident are continuing, we are deeply sorry that this has occurred and are offering our full support to the woman’s family,” Fifield said.
“The Coral team have been in contact with the woman’s family, and we will continue to offer support to them through this difficult process,” he said.
Police confirmed the death is being treated as “sudden and non-suspicious”.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
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