A tragic incident unfolded as an elderly woman, Suzanne Rees, passed away in isolation on a secluded island after being inadvertently left behind by a cruise ship. Suzanne, 80, was part of a Coral Expeditions cruise, slated for a 60-night voyage to explore Australia’s stunning locales. On the 25th of October, passengers disembarked at Lizard Island, located 240km from Cairns, Queensland, known for its captivating coral reefs and serene beaches. Suzanne, a solo traveler, accompanied fellow cruisers on a trek along the Cook’s Look trail, the island’s highest point, but unfortunately did not return to the ship.
Reportedly falling ill during the hike, Suzanne was instructed to descend the mountain alone, and as she remained incapacitated, the cruise ship departed for its next destination without her. This marked the initial stop on the Coral Adventurer’s extensive Australian journey, priced at a staggering £40,000 per person. Katherine, Suzanne’s daughter, expressed shock and sorrow at the alleged abandonment of her mother due to what she described as a lack of care and basic judgment. Suzanne was only reported missing when she failed to appear for dinner, approximately five hours after her disappearance.
Traci Ayris, a sailor on SV Vellamo anchored near Lizard Island, overheard distress calls from the Coral Expeditions vessel. Traci noted that while snorkelers were counted, other island guests were not, indicating a potential oversight. Search operations commenced late at night upon Suzanne’s disappearance, with her lifeless body discovered the following day, about 50m off the trail.
Coral Expeditions CEO Mark Fifield extended condolences to the Rees family, expressing deep regret over the incident and emphasizing full cooperation with official inquiries into the circumstances. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has been alerted and is conducting a thorough investigation to determine the events surrounding the abandonment of the elderly woman, remembered fondly as an avid bushwalker and gardener.