A woman in her 80s was found dead on an Australian island after being left behind by her cruise ship. Authorities call her death “sudden and non-suspicious.” File Photo by Justin Lane/EPA
Oct. 29 (UPI) — A woman in her 80s was found dead on an Australian island after being left behind by her cruise ship.
The Australian woman embarked on a luxury, two-month cruise aboard a small ship that was traveling around Australia. She went hiking with a group on Lizard Island, in the northeast of the country. She stepped away from the group for a rest and didn’t return.
The ship left the island Saturday at dusk, but reported her missing around 9 p.m. AEST. Searchers found her dead Sunday morning.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority said it was investigating and would question the ship’s crew later this week when it docks in Darwin.
Authorities are calling her death “sudden and non-suspicious.”
Coral Expeditions CEO Mark Fifield said staff had contacted the woman’s family and were offering support.
“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,” Fifield said. “We are working closely with Queensland Police and other authorities to support their investigation.”
The cruise ship Coral Adventurer holds up to 120 guests with 46 crew, the company’s website states. Lizard Island was the first stop on the trip, which cost about $53,000.
