(Gray News) – A cruise ship left behind a passenger on an island in Australia, and she was later found dead, according to multiple reports.
ABC Australia said a search was launched Saturday night after the 80-year-old woman was reported missing hours after the Coral Adventurer cruise ship visited Lizard Island.
Her body was reportedly found on Sunday.
According to 7 News Australia, the woman was with a group on a hiking tour of the island but did not return to the ship.
The group was hiking to the island’s highest peak when the woman reportedly said she needed to stop and turn back.
The group continued without her, believing she was heading back to the ship, 7 News reports.
But hours after the rest of the group got back to the ship, they realized she was not on board.
Emergency services were called when the crew was notified that the woman was not on board.
According to 7 News Australia, the woman was traveling solo on the Coral Expeditions cruise as part of a 60-day voyage.
Police are investigating, but her death is being treated as “sudden and non-suspicious.” Her cause of death has not yet been released.
In statements to media outlets, Coral Expeditions CEO Mark Fifield expressed condolences for the woman’s family and said the Coral team has been in contact with her relatives.
Woman found dead on tropical island after cruise ship leaves without her, reports say
