80-year-old dies after cruise ship leaves her behind on island

Questions are being raised about safety procedures and passenger checks after an 80-year-old tourist died after being left behind on Lizard Island in the Great Barrier Reef during a cruise on the Coral Adventurer. 

While her group went hiking to a small peak, the woman paused to rest and was separated from the party. The rest of the group returned to the ship without noticing she was missing.

The ship reportedly did not immediately account for all passengers, only raising the alarm after departure. It returned several hours later, with a helicopter search conducted overnight, but the woman could not be located until the following morning, when a shore party found her deceased. 

"Now, I don't think anyone's suggesting foul play, but still, an 80-year-old woman on her own overnight on a little island, on the Great Barrier Reef. Doesn't look good, does it?" says international correspondent Adam Gilchrist.

To listen to Gilchrist in conversation with 702's Bongani Bingwa, click the audio below [skip to 3:08].