Family seeks answers after 80-year-old woman dies alone on remote Australian Island
Suzanne Rees was found dead after being left behind by a cruise ship during an excursion on Lizard Island.
An 80-year-old Australian woman, Suzanne Rees, has died after being left behind by a cruise ship on Lizard Island, a remote site along the Great Barrier Reef. Rees, from New South Wales, had joined a guided hike during the first stop of a 60-day voyage aboard the Coral Adventurer, but failed to return before the vessel departed, according to The Guardian.
Authorities said Rees was part of a small hiking group on the island when she began to feel unwell during a steep section of the trail. Her daughter, Katherine Rees, told The Australian that her mother was reportedly told to return to the beach area but was left to do so alone.
“From the little we have been told, it seems that there was a failure of care and common sense,” Katherine said. “We understand from police that it was a very hot day, and Mum fell ill on the hill climb. She was asked to head down, unescorted. Then the ship left, apparently without doing a passenger count.”
According to Queensland Police, the Coral Adventurer — a 306-foot expedition ship carrying 120 passengers and 48 crew — raised the alarm when it realized Rees was missing around midnight on October 25. A rescue helicopter was launched at 12:45 a.m. the following morning. Her body was discovered later that day on October 26.
Police confirmed the death is being treated as “sudden and non-suspicious”, and a report is being prepared for the coroner.
Family and Company Responses
Rees’ family has expressed deep concern about the cruise company’s handling of the incident. “I hope that the coronial inquiry will find out what the company should have done that might have saved Mum’s life,” Katherine said, emphasizing the family’s belief that staff failed to ensure passenger safety before the ship departed.
In a statement, Coral Expeditions chief executive Mark Fifield described the incident as a tragedy and said the company was cooperating fully with investigators. “A search and rescue operation was launched on land and sea,” he said. “Following the operation, Coral Expeditions was notified by Queensland Police that the woman had been found deceased on Lizard Island. 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.”
Ongoing Investigation
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority confirmed it is reviewing why Rees was not accounted for during boarding. “We are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding why the passenger may not have been accounted for during boarding,” a spokesperson said.
The Coral Adventurer’s voyage, which offered balcony suites costing up to $86,400 AUD per person, continued under police oversight after Rees’ death.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the incident will prompt changes to cruise passenger monitoring protocols for remote excursions.
Suzanne Rees’ death has left her family searching for clarity about what went wrong on a trip meant to celebrate her love of travel and the Australian coastline. A coronial inquiry is expected to determine whether procedures aboard the Coral Adventurer met required safety standards.
