An 80-year-old woman who died after failing to board a cruise ship on Lizard Island, Queensland has been identified.
NSW retiree Suzanne Rees, was travelling solo on the Coral Adventurer cruise, when she was allegedly left behind on Lizard Island, the first stop of the trip, and was not reported missing until five hours later on the night of October 25.
She reportedly died in “sudden and non-suspicious” circumstances, with the national maritime safety regulator the Australian Maritime Safety Authority still “investigating the circumstances surrounding why the passenger may not have been accounted for during boarding.”
Rees’ daughter Katherine has broken her silence on the tragedy and said her family were “shocked and saddened” following the incident.
“We understand from the police that it was a very hot day, and mum fell ill on the hill climb,” Katherine told The Australian.
“She was asked to head down, unescorted. Then the ship left, apparently without doing a passenger count.
“At some stage in that sequence, or shortly after, mum died, alone.”
Katherine added that from the “little her family had been told” there appeared to be a “failure of care and common sense” which led to her mother being left behind and reported missing hours after the cruise ship departed.
“I hope that the coronial inquiry will find out what the company should have done that might have saved Mum’s life,” she said.
Rees was on an organised hiking and snorkelling excursion to the island 90km northeast of Cooktown.
Sources who were part of the excursion told The Australian that the grandmother had to stop during the 4km hike to the island’s highest point, Cook’s Look, which is described as a “challenging” three-hour round trip.
The elderly woman chose to turn back alone, and the group only realised she was missing when she failed to show up for dinner.
“The group continued on and boarded the vessel before realising she was not there,” a source told the newspaper.
The ship was turned around, with around seven crew members sent ahead in a smaller boat to search the island, according to the publication.
A helicopter was also dispatched, and Rees’ body was located the following day.
“We are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding why the passenger may not have been accounted for during boarding,” a spokesperson for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said.
“As the matter remains under active investigation by AMSA, no further details can be provided at this time.
“AMSA offers its condolences to the family and loved ones of the person who has passed. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.”
Coral Expeditions CEO Mark Fifield confirmed her death and offered his condolences to her family. The company is cooperating fully with authorities.
“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,” Fifield said in a previous statement.
“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.”
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