Suzanne Rees, 80, died alone on Lizard Island for a lack of 'care or common sense', daughter says, after Great Barrier Reef cruise ship left without her

The daughter of an 80-year-old woman allegedly abandoned on Lizard Island by her cruise ship says her mother died from a “failure of care and common sense”.

New South Wales woman Suzanne Rees has been remembered as a healthy and active bushwalker and gardener before her death over the weekend on the Great Barrier Reef.

Her daughter Katherine Rees said the family was left “shocked” by the events preceding her death.

She said the cruise company organising her mother’s excursion had failed to exercise “care or common sense”.

“We understand from the police that it was a very hot day, and Mum fell ill on the hill climb. 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,” sh