Arabic version: الطبيبة الشرعية تجد أن أخطاء أدت إلى وفاة سائحة في البرية

According to The Guardian, Tasmanian coroner Madeleine Wilson found that a “confluence of errors” contributed to the death of Belgian tourist Celine Cremer, 31, after she became lost in remote north-west Tasmania in June 2023.

Cremer set out on a walk at Philosopher Falls on 17 June 2023 and was reported missing almost 10 days later. Wilson ruled that she died in an accident between 17 and 21 June 2023. Her remains were discovered near a river in January 2026 by private searches organised by friends and family, after initial police searches found no trace of her.

The coroner said Cremer took a track towards Magnet Dam after visiting the Philosopher Falls lookout. The track was not well defined, and she wandered off it as afternoon light faded four days before the winter solstice. Overnight temperatures were close to freezing, while Cremer had insufficient clothing and nothing waterproof.

Her mobile phone, her only means of communication, was lost late that afternoon, when reception in the area was intermittent. Data recovered after volunteers found the phone in December 2025 showed her final Google Maps input was recorded at 4.18pm. Wilson said it was likely she became lost about 3.49pm, became disoriented and changed direction. It was not possible to determine her route to the Arthur River; she may have slipped and fallen or unsuccessfully tried to cross it.

Wilson found the police response appropriate, though weather and higher Arthur River water levels in 2023 limited the search. She praised the private search company and volunteers. Tasmania Police has committed to reviewing the use of private search groups, while Wilson recommended warning signs at the Philosopher Falls track entrance about its degraded, uneven and potentially hazardous surface.