Suzanne Rees who died on Lizard Island after being left behind by a cruise ship is pictured – as her devastated daughter speaks out
An Australian grandmother found dead on a remote island after being left behind by a cruise ship has been identified.
80-year-old NSW woman Suzanne Rees is being remembered as a bushwalker and gardener following her death on Lizard Island on Saturday.
The solo traveler died on a remote island in Far North Queensland during the first stop of his 60-day, $80,000-per-ticket circumnavigation of Australia.
A multi-agency investigation will investigate how and why Ms Rees was allegedly left behind by the NRMA-owned Coral Expeditions cruise ship.
Katherine Rees said her mother fell ill during an organized hill climb on Lizard Island and was asked to go down the mountain unescorted.
‘The ship then set sail, apparently without taking a passenger count. “At some stage or shortly after this process, my mother died alone,” he said. Australian.
He said his family were ‘shocked and saddened’ by their grandmother’s alleged abandonment due to ‘lack of care and lack of common sense’.
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.
NSW grandmother Suzanne Rees, 80, is remembered by her family as a bushwalker and gardener after her death at the weekend
Ms Rees’ body was found on Sunday 50 meters from the hiking trail to Cook’s Look, Lizard Island’s highest peak.
His death comes just a day after the Coral Adventurer set off on its voyage 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.
“They did a count for the snorkelers (we heard about that), but there was no count for the other guests on the island,” Ms Ayris said. Cairns Post.
‘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 went fast.”‘
Ship Finder showed the Coral Adventurer sailing towards Lizard Island around 9pm on Saturday and arriving around 2am on Sunday.
Solo traveler died on a remote island in Far North Queensland (pictured) on the first stop of Australia’s 60-day, $80,000-per-ticket circumnavigation
Ms Ayris said a helicopter launched an aerial search around midnight and seven crew from the Coral Adventurer landed and walked the mountain by flashlight until 3am, when the search resumed at first light.
‘The helicopter arrived at first light and went directly to Telstra Rock (where it was last seen) and immediately hovered and then went straight to the airstrip,’ he said.
‘We knew he had found her and the inactivity told us she was clearly dead. He lay there all day and was eventually airlifted away [just before 4pm].’
Australian Maritime Safety Authority officials will meet the 112-passenger Coral Adventurer when it docks in Darwin on Sunday.
The cruise ship is currently off the coast of Thursday Island in the Torres Strait as the cruise continues.
Coral Expeditions confirmed Ms Rees’ death to the Daily Mail.
Chief executive Mark Fifield said: “The crew notified authorities that a woman was missing and a search and rescue operation was launched on land and at sea.”
Following the operation, Queensland Police notified Coral Expeditions that the woman was found dead on Lizard Island.
A helicopter is seen on Lizard Island during weekend searches
‘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.’
