The daughter of tragic cruise ship traveller Suzanne Rees has revealed her mother's final text message.
Last year, the 80-year-old's death made headlines after she got separated from her luxury Coral Adventurer cruise package around Australia. She was on an organised climb alongside fellow holidaymakers on Lizard Island at the time, neighbouring the Great Barrier Reef.
Fatefully, Suzanne fell ill during the hike and was asked to make her way back down the mountain all alone. She was never seen alive again.
In a new interview with 60 Minutes, her daughter Katherine Rees recalled what transpired on that terrible day and how communication between the pair could've never foreshadowed what was to unfold.
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"She sent me a text that morning with a photo of the deck, saying: 'Arrived at Lizard Island, going for a hike, and then afternoon swim,'" she shared.
"We had no reason to think that this wouldn't be the most amazing experience. We had no reason to think anything bad would happen."
Katherine has since alleged that talks between Coral Expeditions and its owner NRMA have been 'poor' ever since the tragedy, even going as far as to let the family down financially.
“"Coral Expeditions] mentioned that they would be refunding everyone's passage, but they didn't refund Sue's," the daughter said.
"I had to ask them to refund that money. For the trip that she didn't actually get to go on. I was pretty horrified that I actually had to ask. It's like ripping the band aid back off again."
The Lizard Island stop-off was towards the beginning of the two-month voyage, which cost Suzanne a substantial fare of £39k.
In a statement obtained 60 Minutes, Coral Expeditions said her death was devastating.
"We are deeply sorry to Ms Rees' family for their loss and the distress and hurt her death has caused," it read.
"While Coral Expeditions had comprehensive safety systems and procedures in place, we acknowledge some of these were not adequately implemented on this tragic day. Ms Rees' death has shocked our people to the core and we will continue to co-operate fully with the ongoing investigations.
"Coral Expeditions has introduced additional systems and procedures to further strengthen protections for our guests."
A traveller count on the vessel in question was seemingly not conducted until 6pm the same day Suzanne went missing. It took until 2am the next day for the Coral Adventurer to return to the island where her body was found.
Topics: Australia, Travel, Cruise Ship
Dan Seddon