🔗 Share this article Voyage Terminated Following Death of Woman Stranded on Tropical Isle Lizard Island sits approximately 150+ kilometers from the Australian Port One 60-day cruise around the Land Down Under is being halted in the wake of the death of an senior lady who was left behind by the ship on a isolated tropical isle. Suzanne Rees had been walking on the remote island with other travelers from the cruise ship, but separated from the group for a break. The ship departed without her and went back several hours later after the ship staff became aware the lady was not present. An extensive rescue mission discovered her remains the next day. Authorities are investigating the incident, alongside law enforcement and the state coroner. Head of the shipping company stated that guests and staff on the ship were informed that the rest of the journey had been terminated due to the "sad loss and earlier mechanical issues". Through an announcement, he further stated that guests would be provided a total repayment, and said the organization was working "to coordinate the travel back of the individuals via private aircraft". Officials also released an updated statement, and said they had "provided a notice to the Captain" banning any additional guests from getting on the ship. The official said that they would inspect the liner in the port city upon its arrival. Chronology of Events The ship first departed the Australian port on October 24th, and was only 48 hours into the expedition at the point of the 80-year-old's passing. Lizard Island was the first stop on the itinerary. Guests on board - who generally pay large sums of currency to participate in the cruise - were transported there for a shore visit with the option of hiking or snorkelling. Family Reaction The daughter of the deceased woman said that her relatives was "stunned and distressed that the vessel left the location after an scheduled outing without my mother". Via her announcement, she described her mum as an "energetic 80-year-old" who was a affiliate of a bushwalking club. "Based on limited facts we have been provided, it looks that there was a failure of responsibility and common sense," she mentioned. She added that she desired the investigation would be able to determine what "the company should have undertaken that might have protected Mum's existence". "According to reports from the investigators that it was a very hot afternoon, and mother fell ill on the uphill trek," she stated. "She was asked her to head down, alone. Then the boat left, reportedly without conducting a roll call. "At some stage in that sequence, or shortly after, mum died, by herself." Company Reaction In a statement, the Head verified that the organization was "working closely with investigators to assist their examination". He stated that the organization was "very regretful that this has occurred" and had provided its full support to the loved ones. Maritime Business Standards The vessel caters for up to a hundred twenty guests with nearly fifty staff, according to official information. It was specifically designed to reach remote regions of the nation's coast and is outfitted with "auxiliary vessels" - compact vessels used to take individuals on land visits. Occurrences such as this are infrequent, and passenger vessels have protocols to track which travelers are boarding or leaving, according to industry experts. "Going ashore secretly or [back] onboard simply isn't an choice," an authority stated. Shipping companies regard these procedures very seriously and have "clever tech in place to avoid such events from happening," the expert further stated. "This is probably a surprising - and unfortunate - single occurrence."