Call for inquest after woman’s island death on cruise
Andrew Stafford |
The grieving family of an elderly woman who died on a tropical island after allegedly being left behind by a cruise ship has called for a coronial inquest.
An investigation has been launched after the body of 80-year-old Suzanne Rees from NSW was found on far north Queensland’s Lizard Island.
Her daughter on Thursday said the family was shattered that their mother had died alone after a “failure of care and common sense” and demanded answers.
Tragedy struck after Ms Rees was hiking with a group on the island north of Cairns, disembarking from Coral Expeditions’ Coral Adventurer cruise ship on October 25.
She is believed to have pulled out of the hike and attempted to walk back alone to the ship but never returned.
The ship allegedly left the island without her hours later before her absence was discovered and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority was alerted, sparking a land and air search.
Ms Rees’ body was found the next morning.
Her daughter Katherine Rees called for an inquest, saying the family was “shocked and saddened” that the cruise ship might have left without their mother.
“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,” she told The Australian.
“Then the ship left, apparently without doing a passenger count. At some stage in that sequence, or shortly after, mum died, alone.
“I hope that the coronial inquiry will find out what the (cruise ship) company should have done that might have saved mum’s life.”
She described Ms Lees as an “active 80-year-old” who was a member of a bushwalking group and enjoyed gardening.
The tragedy is believed to have occurred just two days into a 60-day cruise around Australia.
The cruise ship has continued on to Darwin where it is set to arrive next week.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority said it would assess whether there was non-compliance from Coral Expeditions as part of its probe into Ms Rees’ death.
The authority was set to conduct inquiries on board the vessel in Darwin.
Police are also investigating along with the state coroner and WorkSafe Queensland.
Coral Expeditions earlier apologised to the Rees family.
“While investigations into the incident are continuing, we are deeply sorry that this has occurred,” chief executive Mark Fifield said in a statement this week.
“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.
“We are working closely with Queensland police and other authorities to support their investigation.”
AAP
