Daily London
A luxury cruise has been cancelled after an 80-year-old woman who was left behind on a shore excursion died alone.
Suzanne Rees was reported missing to authorities last Saturday night, when a check of the cruise ship the Coral Adventurer revealed she was missing.
She had been part of Coral Expedition’s cruise to the exclusive resort destination Lizard Island, off the coast of Cooktown in Far North Queensland, earlier that day.
Search and rescue crews, who had been scouring the land and sea for her, found her dead on the island the following day.
Suzanne’s daughter said her mother had fallen ill while on a hike and was asked to head back down alone.
The Master of Coral Adventurer has now been banned from embarking any new passengers following a notice issued by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (ASMA).
“AMSA understands the Coral Adventurer is intending to return to Cairns where AMSA will attend it on arrival,” the maritime safety body said in a statement.
“Questions about the reason the vessel’s destination has changed or the vessel’s estimated time of arrival are to be directed to Coral Expeditions.”
A balcony room on the Coral Adventurer costs $86,400, according to travel agent Clean Cruising.
It holds just 120 passengers.
Queensland Police is investigating the death, but has ruled it non-suspicious.
Rees’ daughter Katherine said the family had been left “shocked and saddened” by her much-loved mother’s death.
“From the little we have been told, it seems that there was a failure of care and common sense,” she said in a statement.
“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.”
Kathleen described her mother as a “healthy, active 80-year-old”.
”I hope that the coronial inquiry will find out what the company should have done that might have saved mum’s life,” she said.
Coral Expeditions chief executive Mark Fifield offered his apology to the woman’s family and said the company was working with authorities in their investigations.
Coral Expeditions can confirm the tragic death of a passenger on the Coral Adventurer during an excursion to Lizard Island in Queensland,” he said in a statement.
“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 Coral team have been in contact with the woman’s family, and we will continue to offer support to them through this difficult process.
“We are working closely with Queensland Police and other authorities to support their investigation.”
A report is being prepared for the coroner.
