Passengers aboard a cruise ship that tragically left a grandmother stranded on a remote island have recounted the harrowing sequence of events. Suzanne Rees, 80, disappeared during an organized hike on Lizard Island in Queensland, Australia, the first stop on the Coral Adventurer’s 60-day voyage around Australia. She fell ill while on the island and was later reported missing when she failed to attend dinner.
Following her disappearance, the cruise ship departed for its next destination, prompting a search operation led by a helicopter above Lizard Island. The ship eventually returned to shore with crew members assisting in the search. Ms. Rees’ body was found near the hiking trail leading to Cook’s Look, the highest peak on Lizard Island.
The Coral Adventurer had set sail from Cairns just a day before the incident and had anchored off Lizard Island for passengers to explore the resort island. Witnessing the unfolding tragedy, passengers aboard another vessel near Lizard Island heard emergency radio signals from the Coral Expeditions’ ship.
Criticism has been directed at Coral Expeditions for alleged negligence in caring for its passengers, with claims that a proper passenger count was not conducted before the ship departed. An in-depth investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding Ms. Rees’ death and the events leading to her separation from the cruise ship.
Coral Expeditions’ CEO, Mark Fifield, expressed condolences to the Rees family and emphasized cooperation with official investigations. The police are treating the death as sudden and non-suspicious, with Tourism Tropical North Queensland extending sympathies to the family. A report is expected to be submitted for coronial review.
Efforts to obtain further comments from Coral Expeditions are ongoing.