Tragedy in Australia: Cruise ship passenger forgotten on island – Found dead

An 80-year-old Australian pistillate was recovered dormant connected Sunday connected an land successful the Great Barrier Reef aft her cruise vessel departed without realizing she was missing.

The pistillate had go separated from the walking radical connected Lizard Island, astir 250 kilometers northbound of Cairns, and ne'er made it backmost to the ship. According to authorities, the 80-year-old had joined an organized hike connected Saturday to the island’s highest point, known arsenic Cook’s Look, on with different passengers from the cruise vessel Coral Adventurer.

Several hours later, the vessel returned to the land and a large hunt cognition began, involving unit members and helicopters. Her assemblage was discovered connected Sunday morning. Authorities person not released details regarding the origin of death, but Queensland Police described it arsenic a “sudden and non-suspicious death.” A study volition beryllium submitted to the coroner.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) announced that it is investigating the incidental and volition conscionable with the ship’s unit wrong the week. A spokesperson said they were informed of the disappearance astir 9:00 p.m. connected Saturday by the ship’s skipper and volition cooperate with applicable agencies, emphasizing that “the information of passengers and unit connected commercialized vessels is of the utmost priority.”

Mark Fifield, CEO of Coral Expeditions, expressed condolences to the woman’s household and said the institution is “providing afloat enactment to her relatives.” “We are profoundly saddened by this incidental and are moving intimately with Queensland Police and applicable authorities arsenic the probe continues,” helium stated, declining to remark further portion the process is ongoing.

The Coral Adventurer is simply a vas with a capableness of up to 120 passengers and 46 unit members, designed for voyages to distant areas of the Australian coastline, equipped with tiny boats for time excursions. Following the incident, the vessel continued its travel toward Darwin, according to the company.