The family of an 80-year-old woman, Suzanne Rees, is grieving after she was left behind by a cruise ship in Queensland and later found dead on a remote island. This tragic event has raised serious questions about the cruise line’s care and practices.
Rees was on a 60-day luxury cruise around Australia when the incident occurred. On a planned excursion to hike on Lizard Island, she felt ill and was advised to return down the mountain without assistance. Unfortunately, she didn’t make it back before the ship departed that afternoon. Her daughter, Katherine, expressed her shock and sadness, highlighting a clear lack of safety protocols.
“It seems there was a failure of care and common sense,” Katherine said. She described her mother as a healthy, active woman who enjoyed gardening and bushwalking.
Recent statistics show that incidents like this can happen when safety procedures are not strictly followed. According to a study by the National Transportation Safety Board, passenger counts are crucial during excursions to avoid such tragedies.
Following this incident, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has begun investigating why Rees was not accounted for during boarding. They will assess any lapses in safety measures that might have contributed to the situation. “Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time,” AMSA officials stated.
The cruise line’s chief executive, Mark Fifield, acknowledged the event’s seriousness and expressed sorrow over the loss. He assured that the company is cooperating fully with ongoing investigations.
This sad episode highlights the need for stricter protocols in the travel industry. Ensuring passenger safety should always come first. With increased scrutiny, we can hope for improvements that prevent such incidents from happening again.
For more information on cruise safety standards, you can check the Australian Maritime Safety Authority website.
