The daughter of an 80-year-old woman found dead after allegedly being abandoned by her cruise ship recently called for a coronial inquiry into her mother’s death, calling the incident “a lack of care and common sense.”
Suzanne Rees, who took part in a 60-day luxury cruise in Australia, was found dead on Sunday after being reported missing on Saturday evening.
Rees was last seen on a group walk on Lizard Island, about 200 miles north of Cairns, but did not return to the Coral Adventurer cruise ship, which left about 6pm on Saturday.
Witnesses said they heard a commotion on the radio and saw the ship returning to the island with a ship tracker.
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The daughter of an 80-year-old woman found dead after allegedly being abandoned by her cruise ship on an Australian island is calling for an investigation into her death. (iStock)
An AMSA spokesperson said they have assisted Queensland Police in the search and continue to work closely with Queensland authorities, including Queensland Police and WorkSafe Queensland.
“AMSA will assess whether there is any non-compliance related to the passenger not being counted on the ship and, if necessary, will take action to address it,” the spokesperson wrote in a statement. “AMSA plans to conduct investigations on board the ship when it arrives in Darwin. We are currently investigating the circumstances as to why the passenger may not have been accounted for during boarding. AMSA extends its condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased person. Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.”
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Suzanne Rees was on a 60-day luxury cruise in Australia when she was abandoned on Lizard Island and later found dead, her daughter claims. (Mark Conlin/VW PICS/UIG)
Rees’ daughter, Katherine, told the story ABC Australia “From what little we have been told, it appears that there has been a lack of due diligence and common sense.”
“We understand from the police that it was a very hot day and that mum felt ill while climbing the hill. She was asked to go down unaccompanied,” Katherine told the newspaper. “Then the ship left, apparently without counting the passengers.”
The family reportedly said they hoped to know whether Rees’ death could have been prevented.
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The daughter of an 80-year-old woman found dead after allegedly being abandoned by her cruise ship on Australia’s Lizard Island is calling for an investigation into her death. (Educational Images/UIG)
The Queensland District Court confirmed on Wednesday that ABC Rees’ death had been ‘referred to the coroner for an investigation’.
Once the coroner’s investigation is completed, a decision will be made on whether to launch an inquest into the death.
AMSA said details about the timing of the ship’s arrival and AMSA’s next steps are not available as the investigation remains active.
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“The Coral team has been in contact with the woman’s family and we will continue to provide them with support during this difficult process,” Mark Fifield, CEO of Coral Expeditions, wrote in a statement. “While investigations into the incident continue, we deeply regret that this occurred and offer our full support to the woman’s family.”
The operation of the vessel is governed by the Australian Navigation Act 2012 and relevant workplace legislation, AMSA said.
