Bombshell claim emerges after Coral Adventurer passenger died on Lizard Island and her ship left her behind

The captain of a luxury cruise ship who left an 80-year-old passenger on an island before he died allegedly refused to talk to police who were looking for him.

Suzanne Rees was found dead on Lizard Island in the Great Barrier Reef in Far North Queensland on Sunday after the $80,000-per-ticket cruise left without her.

The island was the first stop on the NRMA’s 60-day Australian patrol led by Coral Expeditions.

Ms Rees was hiking in sweltering conditions with other passengers on the Coral Adventurer but left the group to rest and was left behind by the Coral Adventurer cruise ship.

Her family claimed the captain was not in contact with search and rescue officials while searching for Ms Rees. Australian reported.

Coral Expeditions appears to dispute this claim.

Queensland Police declined to comment on whether the captain of the Coral Adventurer cooperated with the police search co-ordinator.

Katherine Rees said her mother fell ill during an organized climb and was asked to go down the mountain unescorted.

The island in Far North Queensland was the first stop on a 60-day circumnavigation of Australia

The ship returned a few hours after the crew noticed the woman missing, but it was too late.

‘The ship then set sail, apparently without taking a count of passengers. “At some stage or shortly after this process, my mother died alone,” he said.

The ship returned a few hours after the crew noticed the woman missing, but it was too late. The next day a massive search operation found his body.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is investigating the incident, along with Queensland Police and the state coroner.

A statement issued by AMSA on Saturday said the captain of the Coral Adventurer ship had been given a notice prohibiting new passengers from boarding the ship.

Coral Expeditions managing director Mark Fifield said on Wednesday passengers and crew on the Coral Adventurer were told the remainder of the journey had been canceled due to ‘the tragic death of Suzanne Rees and previous mechanical issues’.

He added that passengers would be refunded in full and that the company was working ‘to coordinate passengers’ return journeys with scheduled flights’.

It is understood Ms Rees was not reported missing until 6pm on Saturday night when she failed to turn up for dinner five hours after she was allegedly left behind.

Ms Rees’ body was found on Sunday 50 meters from the hiking trail to Cook’s Look, Lizard Island’s highest peak.

Maritime safety officials will meet the 112-passenger Coral Adventurer (pictured) when it docks in Darwin on Sunday

Picture: A helicopter is seen on Lizard Island during weekend searches

His death comes just a day after the Coral Adventurer set sail from Cairns on Friday afternoon.

The ship anchored off Lizard Island on Saturday; here passengers would be able to hike and snorkel on a smaller boat to the resort island 90km northeast of Cooktown.

Yachtie Traci Ayris and her partner Matthew, aboard the SV Vellamo anchored near Lizard Island, were listening to emergency radio broadcasts sent from the Coral Expeditions ship.

Ms Ayris told the Cairns Post: “They did a count for the snorkelers (we heard about that), but there was no count for the other guests on the island.”

‘The last people got off the rails and went out to tender, then (the ship) left not long after.

‘There wasn’t much time between when the last passengers left the beach and when they dropped anchor. We even commented, ‘Wow, they left so quickly.’

The family’s first news from cruise line Coral Expeditions was six hours after Ms Rees’ body was found.

AMSA officials will meet the 112-passenger Coral Adventurer when it docks in Darwin on Sunday.

Coral Expeditions confirmed Ms Rees’ death to the Daily Mail.

Aboard the SV Vellamo, anchored near Lizard Island, Ayris and his partner Matthew (pictured) were listening to emergency radio transmissions sent from the Coral Expeditions ship.

“The crew notified authorities that a woman was missing and a search and rescue operation was launched on land and at sea,” Mr Fifield said.

Following the operation, Queensland Police notified Coral Expeditions that the woman was found dead on Lizard Island.

‘While investigations into the incident continue, we are deeply saddened by this incident and offer our full support to the woman’s family.

‘The Coral team is in contact with the woman’s family and we will continue to provide support to them during this difficult process.

‘We are working closely with Queensland Police and other authorities to support their investigations. ‘We cannot comment further while this process is ongoing.’

Popular with divers, snorkelers and hikers, Lizard Island is one of the most remote tourist destinations on the Great Barrier Reef.

Cook’s Look is the highest point on the island and follows in the footsteps of British explorer Captain James Cook, who is believed to be the first European to ascend the mountain after his ship Endeavor crashed into a reef in 1770.

‘It covers four kilometers and is very steep at times, so we recommend moderate to high levels of fitness and agility to carry out this walk safely,’ the Lizard Island website says.

‘As the walk takes a long time and the day is hot, it is recommended to do your walk early in the morning.

‘Those who have undertaken this walk say it is challenging but incredibly rewarding.’