Lisbon Funicular Crash Claims Lives of British Couple,Families Issue Heartbreaking Tributes
Lisbon,Portugal – A British couple has been identified among the 16 fatalities in Wednesday night’s devastating funicular crash in Lisbon,Portugal. Kayleigh Smith, a theater director, and her partner, Will Nelson, a lecturer at Manchester’s Arden School of Theatre, were named as two of the three British nationals who perished when the Gloria funicular derailed in the city center. The identity of the third British victim has not yet been released.
Families of the couple have released poignant statements expressing their grief. Ms. Smith’s family, in a statement issued through Cheshire Police, described her as “loved by family and friends for her wit and humour,” adding that “her kind and caring nature came to the fore in her work as a funeral operative.” They noted she had recently completed a master’s degree. ”They both leave family and friends heartbroken,” the statement concluded.
Mr. Nelson’s brother shared his devastation, stating, “Words cannot begin to describe how our family and friends are feeling right now… We lost Will Nelson, who was not just my big brother but everyone’s. He was always kind,selfless,and protective and the world does not feel right or normal without him. He was and has always been my hero, and we will miss you always. Love you, rest in peace you legend.”
The crash, which occurred on the 140-year-old Gloria funicular, left a total of 21 people injured, five of them seriously. The funicular, which uses two yellow carriages travelling between Restauradores Square and Bairro Alto, came off the rails, with one carriage colliding with a building at a bend in the road.
Beyond the British victims,the tragedy claimed the lives of five Portuguese nationals,two Canadians,two South koreans,one American,one French,one Swiss,and one Ukrainian citizen.
Portuguese prime Minister Luis Montenegro has called the incident “one of the biggest tragedies of our recent past.” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his “deep sadness” and extended his thoughts to the families affected,stating,”We stand united with Portugal during this tough time.”
The UK Foreign Office confirmed it is providing support to the families of the three British nationals who died. Funiculars are a type of railway system designed to transport passengers up and down steep inclines, and the Gloria funicular is electrified and operates using steel cables.
