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Cruise Ship Leaves 80-Year-Old Passenger Behind on Remote Australian Island
31 Oct
Summary
- 80-year-old Suzanne Rees died alone on Lizard Island after cruise ship departed without her
- Rees was part of a group hiking on the island but turned back early due to heat
- Coral Adventurer cruise ship left without immediately noticing Rees' absence
On October 31, 2025, a tragic incident occurred on Lizard Island, a remote Australian island located 250km from Cairns. Suzanne Rees, an 80-year-old passenger on the Coral Adventurer cruise ship, died alone on the island after the ship departed without her.
Rees and other passengers had gone ashore on Lizard Island to hike, but Rees, feeling the heat, turned back early from the group. The cruise ship then left the island at 3:40 pm local time, apparently without doing a proper passenger count. It was not until about 6 pm, when Rees did not show up for dinner, that the alarm was raised on board.
The Coral Adventurer made a sudden U-turn and returned to Lizard Island, but by then it was too late. Rees' body was found the next day, close to the walking trail. Her family is now seeking answers about the apparent failure to account for all passengers before departing the island.
The incident has raised questions about the cruise line's safety protocols and the lack of immediate action when Rees went missing. Authorities, including the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and WorkSafe Queensland, are investigating the circumstances surrounding Rees' tragic death.
