An 80-year-old Australian woman has been found dead on a remote island in the Great Barrier Reef after the cruise ship she was travelling on left without her.
The woman, who has not yet been named, was on the first stop of a 60 day luxury cruise around Australia when she joined fellow passengers on a hike at Lizard Island, about 250 kilometres north of Cairns. The island is known for its clear waters, coral reefs and a steep walking track to the summit called Cook’s Look.
Read also: Australia to recognise Palestinian state at UN in September as New Zealand signals it may follow
Police say the woman separated from the group to take a rest. She never made it back to the Coral Adventurer cruise ship before it sailed away around sunset on Saturday.
Her absence was not noticed until later that night when the crew carried out a head count. At around 9pm, the ship alerted the Australian Maritime Safety Authority that a passenger was missing. The vessel returned to the island and a search began by land, sea and air.
Rescuers found her body on Sunday morning. Police described her death as “sudden and non suspicious” and a report will be prepared for the coroner. Authorities have not said how she died or how long she had been alone on the island.
Read also: Australia targets youtube in global-first social media ban for under-16s
Witnesses told ABC News they saw a helicopter sweeping the walking trail with a spotlight late into the night. “It was very sad in this paradise to have this tragedy occur,” said Traci Ayris, who was sailing nearby. “It should have been a happy time for that lovely lady.”
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority said its investigation will look at how the woman was not accounted for before the ship departed. A spokesperson said the agency “takes the safety of passengers and crew onboard commercial vessels seriously”.
Read also: What international students should expect when studying in Australia
Coral Expeditions, which operates the Coral Adventurer, said it was working closely with police and other authorities. “We are deeply sorry that this has occurred and are offering our full support to the woman’s family,” chief executive Mark Fifield said. “We are unable to comment further while the investigation is under way.”
The cruise, costing tens of thousands of dollars per ticket, had set off from Cairns just a day earlier on an around Australia voyage. The ship has since continued its journey to Darwin.
