‘Mum died alone’: Daughter speaks out after mother, Suzanne Rees, left behind on cruise
The daughter of an 80-year-old woman who died after being abandoned on a remote Great Barrier Reef island has said a “lack of care and common sense” led to her mother’s death.
Suzanne Rees, a grandmother from NSW, was described by her family as a healthy, active woman who loved gardening and walking in the forest before the tragedy occurred during a Coral Expeditions cruise at the weekend.
Daughter Katherine Rees said the family was “shocked and saddened that the Coral Adventurer left Lizard Island after an organized trip without my mother Suzanne.”
“From what we’ve been told, there seems to be a lack of care and common sense,” Ms Rees told The Australian.
“We learned from the police that it was a very hot day and my mother fell ill while going up the hill. She was asked to go down alone.
“Then the ship sailed, apparently without taking a count of passengers. At some stage or shortly after this process, my mother died alone.
“I hope the criminal investigation will reveal what the company should have done that could have saved my mother’s life,” he said.
Leaving Cairns a day earlier for a 60-day Australian patrol, Coral Adventurer anchored off Lizard Island on Saturday for snorkeling and hiking.
Ms Rees joined a group heading to Cook’s Look, the highest point on the island, but was turned back due to 30-degree heat and intense humidity. A source told The Australian he was “struggling” on the grueling walk.
“He said he couldn’t continue and was going back to the boat,” the source said.
Others said his group continued without him.
Police believe Ms Rees never returned to the coastal collection point.
The ship left Coconut Bay without him at 3:40 pm, and the crew only realized he was missing when he did not show up for dinner. The alarm was sounded about five hours later at around 10 p.m. Believing he may have fallen overboard, the Coral Adventurer returned and search parties scoured the island with torchlight. His body was found about 50 meters from the road at first light on Sunday.
Queensland Police, the coroner, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority launched an investigation.
It is unclear whether the Coral Adventurer team had completed the required number of walkers, with witnesses telling The Australian they only heard snorkelling counts on the radio.
An AMSA spokesman said the authority was reviewing whether the passenger was counted correctly and would take action if necessary. AMSA officials are expected to meet the Coral Adventurer when it docks in Darwin on Sunday.
Gareth Phillips, chief executive of the Marine Park Tourism Operators Association, said the operator had a strong safety record and described the operator as a “highly respected business” in the industry.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to the family and everyone affected. Safety has always been and will remain our number one priority,” Mr Phillips said.
