Three Britons dead in Lisbon funicular derailment, including beloved theatre duo

The British couple killed in the Lisbon funicular crash have been remembered as “hugely talented” members of the theatre community dedicated to “inspiring the next generation”.

Theatre director Kayleigh Smith and her partner Will Nelson, a lecturer at Manchester’s Arden School of Theatre, were named as two of the three Britons who died after the popular tourist attraction derailed in the centre of the Portuguese city on Wednesday night.

The third British victim has yet to be named. 

Macclesfield MP Tim Roca paid tribute to Ms. Smith and Mr. Nelson on Saturday morning, saying: “I was deeply saddened to learn that two much-loved members of our Macclesfield community, Kayleigh Smith and her partner Will Nelson, were among those who lost their lives in Wednesday’s tragic funicular crash in Lisbon.

“Kayleigh was a hugely talented theater director at MADS Theatre, where she poured her creativity, energy, and kindness into every production. The moving tribute from the MADS team says it all, she was a dear friend to so many and will be greatly missed.

“Will, a lecturer at Manchester’s Arden School of Theatre, was equally dedicated to nurturing creativity and inspiring the next generation. I know his loss will be felt deeply by colleagues and students alike.

“My heart goes out to Kayleigh and Will’s families, friends, and the whole MADS Theatre family as they come to terms with this tragedy.” 

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.”

MADS Theatre in Macclesfield posted a tribute on Friday night, saying: “It is with great sadness that we must acknowledge the death of Kayleigh Smith and her partner Will Nelson in the Lisbon funicular tragedy.

“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 theater.

“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.”

A No 10 spokesman said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is “deeply saddened” that three British nationals died.

“His thoughts are with their families and those affected by this terrible incident,” he said.

“We stand united with Portugal during this difficult time.” 

The Foreign Office said it is supporting the families of three British nationals who died in the incident.

The Gloria funicular, which is 140 years old, was packed with passengers when it came off the rails.

Portugal’s Prime Minister Luis Montenegro described the incident as “one of the biggest tragedies of our recent past”.

Funiculars are a type of railway system that transports people up and down steep slopes.

The Gloria funicular features two separate yellow carriages that travel between Restauradores Square in central Lisbon and the Bairro Alto area, with journeys taking three minutes.

It is electrified and uses steel cables.

The derailment resulted in one of the carriages crashing into a building at a bend in a road.