The daughter of an elderly woman who died after reportedly being left behind by her cruise ship is demanding a coronial inquiry into her mother’s death, describing the event as “a failure of care and common sense.”
Suzanne Rees was on a lavish 60-day cruise in Australia when she was discovered dead on Sunday, following reports of her disappearance the previous Saturday night.
Rees was last spotted during a group hike on Lizard Island, situated approximately 200 miles north of Cairns. She failed to return to the Coral Adventurer cruise ship, which had departed around 6 p.m. that Saturday.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a disturbance over the radio and observed the ship’s return to the island via a vessel tracking system.
The demand for an investigation into the 80-year-old woman’s death on an Australian island comes from her daughter, who is seeking answers following the alleged abandonment.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), the national body overseeing maritime safety, informed Fox News Digital that they were alerted by the cruise vessel at approximately 10 p.m. local time on Saturday, which led to AMSA launching a response effort.
An AMSA spokesperson said they assisted Queensland Police in the search, and are continuing to work closely with Queensland authorities, including Queensland Police and WorkSafe Queensland.
“AMSA will make an assessment as to whether there was any non-compliance associated with the passenger not being counted onto the ship and, if necessary, will take action to address them,” the spokesperson wrote in a statement. “AMSA intends to conduct inquiries on board the vessel when it arrives in Darwin. We are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding why the passenger may not have been accounted for during boarding. AMSA offers its condolences to the family and loved ones of the person who has passed. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.”
Suzanne Rees was on a luxury 60-day cruise in Australia, when she was left behind on Lizard Island and later found dead, her daughter alleges. (Mark Conlin/VW PICS/UIG )
Rees’ daughter, Katherine, told ABC Australia “from the little we have been told, it seems that there was a failure of care and common sense.”
“We understand from the police that it was a very hot day, and Mum felt ill on the hill climb. She was asked to head down, unescorted,” Katherine told the outlet. “Then the ship left, apparently without doing a passenger count.”
The family reportedly said they are hoping to learn if Rees’ death could have been prevented.
The daughter of an 80-year-old woman found dead after allegedly being abandoned by her cruise ship on Lizard Island in Australia is calling for an investigation into her death. ( Education Images/UIG )
The Coroner’s Court of Queensland on Wednesday confirmed to ABC Rees’ death was “referred to the coroner for investigation.”
Once the coroner’s investigation is complete, a decision will be made about launching an inquest into the death.
AMSA said details surrounding the timing of the vessel’s arrival and AMSA’s next steps are not available, as the investigation remains active.
“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,” Coral Expeditions CEO Mark Fifield reportedly wrote in a statement. “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 operation of the vessel is regulated under the Australian Navigation Act 2012 and relevant workplace laws, according to AMSA.
