Probe launched as woman, 80, dies after being left on island by cruise ship

An investigation has been launched after a pensioner from Australia was found dead on a Great Barrier Reef island. The 80-year-old was on the first stop of a 60-day cruise around Australia on board a Coral Adventurer ship. The woman, who has not been named, had been hiking on Lizard Island alongside passengers from the vessel on Saturday. However, she is believed to have separated from the group to have a rest and remained on the island after the cruise departed.

The cruise ship left the island in the evening as the sun set, and reportedly realised the woman was missing shortly after. The boat, which caters for up to 120 guests, returned to the island, where a major search operation found the woman's body on Sunday morning. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has now launched a probe into her death, and is reportedly meeting with the ship's crew this week.

The 80-year-old joined a group of hikers to climb the island's highest peak, Cook's Look, before taking a break, the Courier Mail newspaper reports. However, she did not make it back to the ship, which later left without her.

Speaking about the search, local Traci Ayris told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that she saw a helicopter while sailing near the island on the weekend. She said that a spotlight was being used to search the walking trail.

Ms Ayris added that seven people with torches searched the island but the operation was called off at 3am on Sunday morning when the body was reportedly found.

An AMSA spokesperson said it was alerted to the Australian woman being missing at around 9pm local time on Saturday by the ship's captain.

Queensland police said a report into the "sudden and non-suspicious death" of the woman will be prepared shortly for the coroner.

Coral Expeditions chief executive Mark Fifield said in a statement: "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."

He added: "We are working closely with Queensland Police and other authorities to support their investigation. We are unable to comment further while this process is under way."