Families of British couple killed in Lisbon funicular crash say they are 'heartbroken'

The families of the British couple killed in the Lisbon funicular crash have said they are "heartbroken" as they paid tribute to them.

Kayleigh Smith, 36, and William Nelson, 44, died alongside 14 others in Wednesday's incident, including another British victim who has not yet been named.

Ms Smith graduated from the Arden School of Theatre in Manchester, where Mr Nelson ran the master's degree in directing.

In a statement shared by Cheshire Police, Ms 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."

Mr Nelson's younger brother, who was not named in the statement, added: "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."

MADS theatre in Macclesfield, Cheshire, said Ms Smith was a "valued member of our society" who will be "greatly missed".

It said she was an award-winning director and actress, who had also done multiple crew and front-of-house roles.

Macclesfield MP Tim Roca paid tribute to Ms Smith, saying she was a "hugely talented theatre director" who "poured her creativity, energy and kindness into every production".

Mr Nelson was "equally dedicated to nurturing creativity and inspiring the next generation" and "his loss will be felt deeply by colleagues and students alike", the MP added.

Hours before the crash, Ms Smith posted pictures on Instagram of their first day in Lisbon with the caption: "Churches and castles, tiles and trams."

Five Portuguese citizens died when the packed carriage plummeted out of control - four of them workers at a charity on the hill - but most victims were foreigners.

Police said the other fatalities were two Canadians, two South Koreans, one American, one French citizen, one Swiss and one Ukrainian.

All but one were declared dead at the scene - and 21 others in the packed carriage were injured.

The yellow carriages of the Gloria funicular are a big draw for tourists, as well as a proud symbol of the Portuguese capital.

The journey is just 265m (870ft) up a steep hill and takes three minutes, with two carriages travelling in opposite directions on a linked cable.

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Witnesses reported seeing one of the carriages hurtle down the hill before derailing and crashing 30m from the bottom.

The aftermath shows it crumpled and twisted against the side of a building.

People who were in the bottom carriage said they were a few metres into the climb when it started going backwards.

When they saw the other car speeding towards them, many jumped through the windows to escape.

Prime Minister Luis Montenegro called the crash "one of the biggest tragedies of our recent past" and authorities are under intense pressure to quickly identifying the cause.

One witness who was in the lower carriage told Sky's Europe correspondent Alistair Bunkall that the brakes appeared to fail.

The carriage's brakeman, Andre Marques, has also been confirmed among the dead.

Officials said the streetcar, which has been running since 1914, had a half-hour visual inspection every day and underwent full maintenance last year.

The line links the downtown area near Restauradores Square with Lisbon's Bairro Alto neighbourhood.

A preliminary technical report due on Friday has now been delayed until Saturday. Another report with a broader scope is expected within 45 days.

Three other funicular lines in Lisbon have been suspended.

(c) Sky News 2025: Families of British couple killed in Lisbon funicular crash say they are 'heartbroken'