On a remote stretch of the Great Barrier Reef, what was meant to be the adventure of a lifetime for 80-year-old Suzanne Rees ended in tragedy. Rees, a retired mother from New South Wales, was found dead on Lizard Island after the cruise ship she was traveling on, the Coral Adventurer, departed without her. The incident has sparked outrage, grief, and calls for a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
According to multiple reports from The Guardian and LADbible, Suzanne Rees had embarked on a 60-day cruise around Australia, a trip that cost tens of thousands of dollars and promised unforgettable experiences. On just the second day, October 25, 2025, the Coral Adventurer made its first stop at Lizard Island, a remote outpost off the far north Queensland coast known for its rugged beauty and challenging terrain. Rees joined other passengers for an organized hike to the island’s highest summit—a demanding trek, especially in the heat that day.
During the climb, Rees reportedly became unwell. Her daughter, Katherine Rees, recounted to The Australian and BBC what little the family had been told: “We understand from the police that it was a very hot day, and Mom fell ill on the hill climb. She was asked to head down, unescorted. Then the ship left, apparently without doing a passenger count. At some stage in that sequence, or shortly after, Mom died, alone.”
It’s a chilling account. Rees—described by her family as an “active and healthy” woman who loved gardening and bushwalking—was left to make her way back alone. When the Coral Adventurer departed the island later that afternoon, no one on board seemed to realize she was missing. Satellite tracking data later showed the ship initially sailed away from Lizard Island before turning back later that night, but by then, it was too late.
The alarm was only raised around 9pm local time, when the ship’s captain notified authorities that a passenger was missing. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and Queensland Police quickly coordinated an aerial and ground search. Rescue helicopter workers found Rees’s body the next day, October 26, 2025, on Lizard Island. Queensland Police described her death as “sudden and non-suspicious.”
The news has left Rees’s family devastated. Katherine Rees told The Guardian, “From the little we have been told, it seems that there was a failure of care and common sense.” She added, “We are shocked and saddened that the Coral Adventurer left Lizard Island after an organised excursion without my mum, Suzanne.”
Her anger and grief are echoed by many who have followed the story. The notion that a modern cruise ship could depart a remote island without accounting for all its passengers has raised serious questions about safety protocols and oversight in the industry. “I hope that the coronial inquiry will find out what the company should have done that might have saved Mum’s life,” Katherine said to LADbible.
AMSA has confirmed it is investigating the incident. In a statement, the authority said, “Amsa will make an assessment as to whether there was any non-compliance associated with the passenger not being counted onto the ship and, if necessary, will take action to address them. Amsa offers its condolences to the family and loved ones of the person who has passed. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.” According to BBC, AMSA plans to meet the crew when the Coral Adventurer docks in Darwin later in the week following October 30, 2025.
Coral Expeditions, the operator of the Coral Adventurer, has also responded. Mark Fifield, the company’s chief executive, said in a statement reported by LADbible, “Coral Expeditions can confirm the tragic death of a passenger on the Coral Adventurer during an excursion to Lizard Island in Queensland. On Saturday, October 25, the crew notified authorities that a woman was missing, and a search and rescue operation was launched on land and sea. Following the operation, Coral Expeditions was notified by Queensland Police that the woman had been found deceased on Lizard Island.”
Fifield continued, “While investigations into the incident are continuing, we are deeply sorry that this has occurred and are offering our full support to the woman’s family. The Coral team have been in contact with the woman’s family, and we will continue to offer support to them through this difficult process. We are working closely with Queensland Police and other authorities to support their investigation.” He added that the company could not comment further while the investigation is underway.
The incident has triggered a broader conversation about cruise ship safety, particularly when it comes to excursions in remote or challenging environments. Industry observers note that passenger counts are a standard safety procedure for organized outings—especially in locations like Lizard Island, where the risks of being left behind are magnified by isolation and harsh conditions. That such a basic check was allegedly overlooked has left many asking how this could happen in 2025, with all the technology and protocols cruise lines are expected to have in place.
For the Rees family, the pain is compounded by the knowledge that Suzanne was excited for the journey and in good spirits before the tragedy. Katherine described her mother as an “active 80-year-old” who relished new experiences. The family is now calling for a coronial inquiry, hoping to ensure answers and accountability. “I hope that the coronial inquiry will find out what the company should have done that might have saved Mom’s life,” Katherine emphasized in her interviews.
As investigations continue, both AMSA and Queensland Police are reviewing what went wrong and whether regulations were breached. The cruise community, meanwhile, is left grappling with the implications. Passengers trust operators not just with their leisure but with their lives, especially in remote corners of the world. This incident has shaken that trust and raised pressing questions about oversight, training, and emergency response on such voyages.
With the Coral Adventurer scheduled to dock in Darwin soon, authorities will have an opportunity to question the crew and examine the vessel’s procedures in detail. For now, Suzanne Rees’s story stands as a somber reminder of the stakes involved in adventure travel—and the necessity for vigilance, compassion, and common sense at every turn.
