🔗 Share this article Ship Terminated After Tragic Loss of Woman Stranded on Remote Island Lizard Island sits approximately 150+ kilometers from the Australian Port A two-month voyage through Australia has been cancelled in the wake of the death of an elderly woman who was left behind by the vessel on a isolated island. Suzanne Rees had been trekking on the tropical location with fellow passengers from the vessel, but separated from the group for a break. The ship sailed away leaving her and went back later that day after the crew became aware the woman was missing. A major rescue mission located her body the following day. Officials are examining the incident, alongside law enforcement and the state coroner. Head of the voyage organizer stated that guests and personnel on the ship were told that the rest of the cruise had been called off due to the "tragic passing and earlier engine troubles". Through an announcement, he added that passengers would be issued a full refund, and said the operator was working "to arrange the travel back of the passengers via private aircraft". Officials also released an revised communication, and said they had "provided a order to the Master" banning any further travelers from entering the ship. The spokesperson said that they would visit the vessel in the port city upon its coming back. Timeline of Occurrences The liner first departed Cairns on 24 October, and was only 48 hours into the expedition at the point of the 80-year-old's passing. The tropical location was the initial destination on the journey. Passengers on the ship - who usually pay substantial amounts of dollars to participate in the cruise - were ferried there for a shore visit with the possibility of walking or snorkelling. Relatives Reaction The child of the elderly passenger said that her loved ones was "shocked and distressed that the ship left Lizard Island after an scheduled tour without my parent". In her statement, she characterized her mother as an "active elderly person" who was a member of a bushwalking group. "From the little facts we have been provided, it appears that there was a breakdown of care and ordinary reasoning," she said. She added that she wished the investigation would be able to identify what "the company should have performed that might have saved Mother's existence". "According to reports from the authorities that it was a exceptionally warm afternoon, and she became unwell on the hill climb," she revealed. "Officials suggested her to return, alone. Then the vessel left, reportedly without conducting a roll call. "At a certain moment in that chain of events, or soon after, mother died, by herself." Operator Response In a statement, the Chief Executive affirmed that the operator was "cooperating fully with officials to aid their examination". He stated that the organization was "extremely apologetic that this has happened" and had offered its full support to the relatives. Cruise Industry Practices The ship accommodates up to a hundred twenty travelers with 46 staff, according to corporate details. It was specifically designed to reach distant areas of Australia's shoreline and is fitted with "auxiliary vessels" - small boats used to take passengers on day excursions. Events of this nature are rare, and liners have procedures to document which travelers are getting on or leaving, according to maritime specialists. "Leaving covertly or [back] onboard really isn't an option," a specialist stated. Vessel operators take these methods very seriously and have "clever tech in place to stop such incidents from taking place," the expert further stated. "This appears to be most likely a shocking - and sad - single occurrence."