A heartbreaking incident off the coast of Queensland has put cruise ship safety under the spotlight after an 80-year-old Australian grandmother, Suzanne Rees, was left behind on a remote island and tragically died.

Authorities have now launched a full-scale investigation into the events surrounding the fatal oversight.

How the Incident Unfolded

Suzanne Rees, a grandmother from Sydney, was part of an NRMA Coral Expeditions cruise on the Coral Adventurer, which had embarked on a 60-day circumnavigation of Australia valued at $80,000.

Lizard Island, on the Great Barrier Reef, was the first stop on this voyage.

While hiking with fellow passengers in the sweltering October heat, Ms Rees became separated from the group during a rest stop.

It is believed that a head count was missed, and the cruise ship departed on Saturday, October 25, without realizing she was left behind.

The crew reportedly returned several hours later, but by that time, it was too late.

Her body was discovered the following day, approximately 50 metres off the hiking trail leading to Lizard Island’s Cook’s Look summit.

Authorities Step In

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), alongside Queensland Police and the state Coroner, has taken charge of investigating the tragic incident.

Officials were seen boarding a tender to the Coral Adventurer at the Yorkeys Knob Boat Ramp near Cairns on Wednesday morning, gathering evidence and interviewing crew under supervision of what is believed to be a ship manager.

AMSA has also issued a notice prohibiting the Coral Adventurer from taking on new passengers while the investigation continues, signaling the seriousness of the oversight.

Cruise Company Responds

Coral Expeditions CEO Mark Fifield confirmed that passengers and crew were informed that the remainder of the cruise had been cancelled due to “the tragic passing of Suzanne Rees” and prior mechanical issues.

He added that passengers would receive a full refund and that the company is arranging chartered flights to bring everyone safely home.

The incident has raised questions about cruise safety procedures, particularly regarding passenger head counts and monitoring during shore excursions.

Timeline of the Tragic Event

Saturday, October 25: Suzanne Rees becomes separated from the group while hiking; she fails to return to the ship.
Evening, October 25: She is reported missing around 6pm, roughly five hours after being left behind.
Sunday, October 26: Her body is found near the trail leading to Lizard Island’s highest point, Cook’s Look.

The Coral Adventurer had been anchored off Yorkeys Knob, unable to dock at the Cairns cruise wharf, at the time of the incident.

The Wider Impact

This tragedy has already prompted AMSA to take immediate regulatory action, and the incident is likely to trigger broader scrutiny on safety protocols for Australian cruise operators.

Families and passengers are grappling with shock and grief as authorities work to ensure such an event does not happen again.

Daily Mail has reached out to Coral Expeditions and AMSA for further comment, as investigations continue into what went wrong and how it can be prevented in the future.