Investigators Board Cruise Ship Accused of Leaving Girl to Die on Distant Island
Investigators have boarded an Australian cruise ship, the Coral Adventurer, over 10 days after an 80-year-old passenger, Suzanne Rees, was left behind and later discovered useless on a distant island.
Rees, described by her household as an “lively 80-year-old,” had joined a mountaineering tour on Lizard Island in Queensland however stopped to relaxation and have become separated from the group. The cruise ship reportedly departed with out her, solely returning hours later after crew members realised she was lacking.
The Australian Maritime Security Authority (AMSA) boarded the vessel on Wednesday as a part of a joint investigation with Queensland Police and the state coroner. Officers haven’t but commented publicly on their findings.
The Coral Adventurer’s 60-day cruise round Australia—which value passengers tens of 1000’s of {dollars}—was cancelled following Rees’ dying and earlier mechanical issues. The ship later anchored close to Yorkey’s Knob, simply north of Cairns, with solely a skeleton crew on board.
Rees’ daughter, Katherine Rees, criticised the dealing with of the incident, saying it appeared there had been “a failure of care and customary sense.” She claimed her mom was advised to descend alone after feeling unwell, and that the ship “apparently left with out doing a passenger rely.”
Police confirmed that Rees’ physique was found the day after an preliminary search on October 25 did not find her.
Coral Expeditions CEO Mark Fifield expressed condolences, saying the corporate was “deeply sorry” and cooperating totally with authorities.