The families of a British couple killed in Lisbon after a funicular streetcar derailed have paid tribute to them and have said they are “heartbroken”.
Kayleigh Smith, 36, and William Nelson, 44, died alongside 14 other people after the Elevador da Glória hurtled down a hill and careered into a building on Wednesday night.
Smith, from Macclesfield in Cheshire, graduated from the Arden School of Theatre in Manchester, where Nelson worked as a theatre director. The identity of the third British victim has yet to be disclosed by authorities.
In a statement issued by Cheshire police on Saturday, Smith’s family said: “Kayleigh was loved by family and friends for her wit and humour, her kind and caring nature came to the fore in her work as a funeral operative.
“She was also a talented theatre director and had just completed a master’s degree. They both leave family and friends heartbroken.”
In the same police statement, Nelson’s brother, who was not named, said: “Words cannot begin to describe how our family and friends are feeling right now but here is the best attempt. This week, due to a tragic accident in Lisbon, Portugal, 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 accident, described by Portugal’s prime minister, Luís Montenegro, as “one of the biggest tragedies in our recent history”, also left 21 people injured, five of whom are in a serious condition.
In a statement on Friday morning, police said the accident had killed five Portuguese citizens, three Britons, two South Koreans, two Canadians, one American, one Ukrainian, one Swiss citizen and one French person.
Police said a German citizen thought to have died in the crash had been located alive in a hospital. Local media had reported that a German father had died and a mother was seriously hurt while their three-year-old child suffered minor injuries.
Hours before the crash, Smith posted pictures on Instagram of the couple’s first day in Lisbon with the caption: “Churches and castles, tiles and trams.”
MADS Theatre in Macclesfield posted a tribute on Friday night saying: “Kayleigh was a valued member of our society and made considerable contributions both to MADS and to drama in the North West. It is indeed a sad loss to all of us at the theatre.
“Kayleigh was an award-winning director and an award-nominated actress. She also undertook multiple crew and front-of-house roles at MADS. She was a past vice-chair, membership secretary and head of tech, but above all that, she was a dear friend to many and will be greatly missed.
“We wish to send our deepest condolences to both families, and to respect their privacy at this sad time. Our thoughts are with them.”
André Jorge Gonçalves Marques, who worked as the brake guard on the funicular, was among the fatalities, along with Pedro Manuel Alves Trindade, a former volleyball referee.
The Portuguese transport union Sitra said: “We send our condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the accident and wish them a speedy recovery as well as the best recovery to the others injured in the accident.”
Marques was a “dedicated, kind and happy professional, always willing to contribute to the greater good”, according to his employer, Carris, which runs the funicular.
Investigators have not found any evidence of sabotage, leaving mechanical failures or maintenance issues among the possible causes.
The Glória line carries about 3 million people annually. Its two cars, each capable of carrying about 40 people, are attached to opposite ends of a haulage cable, with traction provided by electric motors on the cars.
A No 10 spokesperson said: “The prime minister is deeply saddened to hear that three British nationals have died in the funicular crash in Lisbon. His thoughts are with their families and those affected by this terrible incident. We stand united with Portugal during this difficult time.”
