An investigation has been launched by authorities and a coroner following the death of an 80-year-old woman who was left stranded on a remote island after missing her cruise ship. The solo traveler died during the first stop of a 60-day cruise around Australia, prompting questions about how she became stranded on the isolated Far North Queensland island.
Investigators are looking into whether the woman could have been rescued from the island, as she was not reported missing until long after she was supposed to re-board the ship, which had departed from Cairns and anchored off Lizard Island. It is believed that the woman had been hiking on the island’s summit before getting lost, possibly after parting ways with a group that she was with on a walk to Cook’s Look summit.
Reports suggest that the woman may have fallen off a cliff, leading to her disappearance. The incident was reported on Saturday night after she failed to return to the cruise ship. Concerns about safety protocols were raised by witnesses who were aboard a nearby yacht and overheard emergency radio transmissions from the ship.
A search and rescue operation was conducted with the help of a helicopter, and the woman’s remains were eventually airlifted from the island. Coral Expeditions, the cruise operator, confirmed the woman’s death and stated that they had informed the authorities and the woman’s family about the tragic incident. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death.