Australian woman found dead on island after ship left without her

An Australian woman was found dead on a remote island on the country’s Great Barrier Reef after she was left behind by a cruise ship.

- Daniel Lai

The 120-passenger Coral Adventurer, owned by Coral Expeditions, left Cairns on the morning of Oct 24.

The body of 80-year-old Suzanne Rees was found by rescue workers on Lizard Island in the state of Queensland on Oct 26, reported Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC).

Lizard Island, about 250km north of the city of Cairns, was the first stop of Ms Rees’ 60-day cruise around Australia.

On the morning of Oct 25, Ms Rees joined a group hike to the island’s highest peak, Cook’s Look, which is at least 300m high. She separated from the group as she had to take a break.