Passengers aboard a cruise ship that inadvertently left an elderly woman stranded on a remote island have recounted the distressing sequence of events. Suzanne Rees, an 80-year-old tourist, disappeared while participating in an organized excursion on Lizard Island, part of the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia, during the Coral Adventurer’s 60-day voyage around the country.
Despite falling ill during the hike, Rees was not reported missing until she failed to attend dinner, approximately five hours after she vanished. Following an aerial search conducted by a helicopter over Lizard Island, the 112-passenger ship, Coral Adventurer, returned to assist in the search efforts. Tragically, Rees’ body was found 50 meters off the hiking trail leading to the island’s highest peak, Cook’s Look.
The cruise had departed from Cairns the previous Friday and anchored near Lizard Island on Saturday, allowing passengers to explore the island. Witnesses like Yachtie Traci Ayris and her partner Matthew, who were aboard SV Vellamo near Lizard Island, recalled hearing emergency signals from the Coral Expeditions’ ship.
Family members of Ms. Rees criticized Coral Expeditions, owned by the National Roads and Motorists’ Association (NRMA) in Australia, for what they deemed a lack of care and responsibility. An investigation involving multiple agencies will seek to determine the circumstances that led to Rees being left behind, including claims that a passenger count was not conducted before the ship departed.
Coral Expeditions’ CEO, Mark Fifield, expressed condolences to the Rees family and emphasized cooperation with the ongoing investigations. Authorities, including the police, are treating Rees’ death as sudden and non-suspicious, with Tourism Tropical North Queensland extending sympathies to her family. A coroner’s report will be prepared as the investigation progresses.
The Mirror has reached out to Coral Expeditions for additional comments on the matter.