An 80-year-old Australian woman, Suzanne Rees, was found dead after being left behind by her cruise ship on Lizard Island, part of the Great Barrier Reef.
Rees, from New South Wales, had joined a hiking group during the Coral Adventurer’s 60-day cruise around Australia but failed to return to the ship before it departed. Balcony suites for the luxury cruise cost about $86,400 per person.
Her daughter, Katherine, said the family believes the company failed in its duty of care. Police told them Rees became ill during a hot hike and was told to return alone, unescorted. “The ship left without doing a passenger count,” Katherine said. “At some stage, Mum died, alone.”
The Coral Adventurer, carrying 120 passengers and 48 crew, raised the alarm on October 25. A rescue helicopter found Rees’ body the next day. Queensland Police are investigating why she wasn’t accounted for during boarding.
Coral Expeditions’ CEO Mark Fifield called it a “tragic death” and said the company is cooperating fully with authorities while supporting Rees’ family.