An 80-year-old Australian woman was found dead on a Great Barrier Reef island after being left behind by her cruise ship, according to reports. The incident occurred when the woman, a passenger on the Coral Adventurer cruise, went hiking on Lizard Island, approximately 155 miles north of Cairns. She reportedly separated from her group while resting during the excursion.

The cruise ship departed the island on Saturday without realizing she had not returned. Her body was discovered the following day. The woman’s daughter has called for a coronial inquest, alleging a “failure of care and common sense.”

According to accounts, the woman joined a group hike to Cook’s Look, the island’s highest peak, before deciding to rest. She did not rejoin the ship, which left without her. The vessel returned later after crew members realized she was missing, prompting a search that located her body on Sunday morning.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (Amsa) confirmed it is investigating the incident, stating it will interview the ship’s crew and assess whether procedural lapses occurred. A spokesperson emphasized the agency’s condolences to the family but provided no further details.

The woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, was on the first leg of a 60-day Australian cruise. Her daughter, Katherine, told ABC Australia that the ship allegedly failed to conduct a passenger count, leaving her mother unescorted during the hike. The Coroner’s Court of Queensland has referred the case for investigation, with potential next steps pending an inquest.