It’s understood that Suzanne Rees, from New South Wales, was on the first stop of a 60-day cruise around Australia, which had left Cairns earlier this week.
Passengers, who pay tens of thousands of dollars to join the cruise, were transported to the exclusive island for a day trip with the option of hiking or snorkelling.
Suzanne joined a group hike to the island’s highest peak, Cook’s Look, but broke away from the others as she needed to rest.
“We understand from the police that it was a very hot day, and mum fell ill on the hill climb,” Katherine said.
“She was asked to head down, unescorted. Then the ship left, apparently without doing a passenger count.
“At some stage in that sequence, or shortly after, mum died, alone.”
Katherine said she hoped a coronial inquiry would “find out what the company should have done that might have saved Mum’s life”.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (Amsa) said it was investigating the death and would meet the ship’s crew when it is due to dock in Darwin later this week.
