Featured Image Credit: Family Handout
Topics: Travel, World News, Australia, Cruise ship
Lucy Devine
The CEO of a cruise ship operator has issued an update after a woman died when she was allegedly left behind on a remote island.
Suzanne Rees, a retired mom from New South Wales, Australia, was allegedly left behind by the Coral Adventurer while on a 60-day Australian cruise.
It is believed that Rees, 80, had been taking part in an organized hiking expedition on Lizard Island with other passengers, but had broken off from the group to rest.
When she failed to board the ship, the vessel allegedly departed without her.
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Rescue helicopter workers then found her body the next day (October 26), with her death being described as 'sudden and non-suspicious' by Queensland Police Service.
Speaking to The Australian, Rees' daughter, Katherine Rees said: "We understand from the police that it was a very hot day, and Mom fell 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, Mom died, alone.
“I hope that the coronial inquiry will find out what the company should have done that might have saved mom’s life."
Mark Fifield, CEO of the cruise operator Coral Expeditions, issued an update on Saturday (November 1) explaining that passengers and crew had been informed on Wednesday that the rest of the cruise had been canceled due to the 'tragic passing of Suzanne Rees and previous mechanical issues'.
He said that passengers would be refunded and said the company was working 'to co-ordinate the return journeys of the passengers via chartered flights'.
In a previous statement, Fifield said: “Coral Expeditions can confirm the tragic death of a passenger on the Coral Adventurer during an excursion to Lizard Island in Queensland.
“On Saturday, October 25, the crew notified authorities that a woman was missing, and a search and rescue operation was launched on land and sea.
"Following the operation, Coral Expeditions was notified by Queensland Police that the woman had been found deceased on Lizard Island."
He continued: “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.”
LADbible Group has previously contacted Coral Expeditions for further comment.