An 80-year-old woman was found dead on an island in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef after she was left behind by a cruise ship.
The victim, Suzanne Rees, got off the boat at Lizard Island on Saturday, a couple of days into a trip around Australia, according to The Associated Press.
She proceeded to hike with a group of other passengers on a trail just under 2.5 miles to the island’s highest point. She had to stop during the trek and didn’t return to the ship before it left the island, sources told The Australian.
Once crew on board realized she was missing, the Coral Adventurer doubled back and reached Lizard Island after midnight Sunday.
Ms. Rees was found dead on Sunday morning. Sources told The Australian she may have fallen from a cliff.
“From the little we have been told, it seems that there was a failure of care and common sense. We understand from the police that it was a very hot day, and Mum felt ill on the hill climb. 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,” the victim’s daughter, Katherine Rees, told AP.
Mark Fifield, CEO of cruise operator Coral Expeditions, said in a statement to News.com.au, “Coral Expeditions can confirm the tragic death of a passenger. … 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.”
The company is also cooperating with an investigation of the incident by the Queensland Police Service.
Officials from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority will meet with the ship’s crew when the boat docks in the northern city of Darwin on Sunday, according to News.com.au.
