A HISTORIC funicular tram derailed and crashed into a building during Lisbon’s evening rush hour on Wednesday, killing 16 people and leaving dozens injured.
Among the dead was Heather Hall, a South Carolina college professor and mother, the only American victim in the disaster.
Heather Hall a South Carolina college professor was the only American victim in the disaster[/caption]
Gloria funicular tram derailed in Lisbon on Wednesday, crashing into a hotel and killing 16 people (stock)[/caption]
he 19th-century streetcar went out of control after a cable snapped (stock)[/caption]
Hall was attending a conference in Lisbon when the tragedy struck[/caption]
The 19th-century Elevador da Glória streetcar came off the rails just after 6 pm, smashing into a hotel and leaving the city in shock.
Portugal’s Office for Air and Rail Accident Investigations said a preliminary technical report on the crash would be released Saturday.
Prime Minister Luis Montenegro called it “one of the biggest tragedies of our recent past.”
Authorities confirmed the fatalities include five Portuguese citizens, three British, two Canadians, two South Koreans, one French, one Swiss, and one Ukrainian.
An additional 21 people were injured, five in serious condition, Portugal’s National Health Service told the Associated Press.
Hall was attending a conference in Lisbon when the tragedy struck, the College of Charleston told The Daily Mail.
A professor in the education department, Hall specialized in special education and returned to teach at her alma mater in 2019.
Fran Welch, dean of the School of Education, called her a “dynamic instructor” who shared a love of travel with her students.
Hall had taught abroad in Ghana as a Fulbright Scholar and organized study trips for her students to Europe, Central America, and Africa.
Her family described her as a mother who “believed in them with all her heart” and embraced life with “curiosity, compassion, and open hearts.”
Outside academics, Hall performed with Heart: An Inclusive Arts Community, supporting adult artists with disabilities.
Colleagues remembered Hall as fun-loving and dedicated.
Bridget Miller, a USC professor, said Hall “adored” her students and taught her how to manage them on international trips.
Professor Yasha Jones Becton, her dissertation advisor, called Hall “a passionate educator and an even more passionate mother.”
Victims of the Lisbon Funicular Crash (16 Dead)
- United States: 1 – Heather Hall, South Carolina professor
- Portugal: 5
- United Kingdom: 3 – Kayleigh Smith, 36; Will Nelson, 44; 82-year-old (unnamed)
- Canada: 2
- South Korea: 2
- France: 1
- Switzerland: 1
- Ukraine: 1
Injured: 21, including 5 in serious condition
Other nationalities involved among dead or injured: Germany, Spain, Italy, Morocco, Cape Verde
Jennifer Morrison, a former professor, described Hall as a “ray of sunshine” and said they had spoken shortly before Hall left for Portugal.
What Happened?
The crash occurred when the packed funicular, carrying at least 38 people, hurtled downhill “out of control,” witnesses said.
The Glória line operates with two cars attached to opposite ends of a haulage cable.
One cable reportedly snapped, causing the lower car to derail.
“The car at the top seems to have broken free and come out of what we call the suspension. It literally rolled down the hill like a car with no brakes,” said Professor Dave Cooper, UK cableway standards chair.
The streetcar struck a slight curve and crashed into a hotel, crumpling on impact.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident (stock)[/caption]
General renovations occur every four years, with interim maintenance every two years (stock)[/caption]
Cooper said the vehicle’s weight made it nearly impossible to stop or turn.
Daily inspections of the tram’s cables reportedly had not been performed since the end of August.
General renovations occur every four years, with interim maintenance every two years.
Witnesses reported a “metallic thud” as the tram jumped the track, and footage shows rescuers rushing to the wreckage while onlookers screamed.
Some experts warned the disaster may reflect the strain of excessive tourism on Lisbon’s historic tram system.
Other Victims
Among the other victims were two British tourists, Kayleigh Smith, 36, and Will Nelson, 44, a theatre school lecturer.
Will Nelson had arrived in Lisbon just a day before the crash, and the couple had queued together to board the tram.
The third British victim, an 82-year-old, has not yet been officially named.
Lisbon declared three days of mourning, with officials still identifying several victims, including the tram’s brakeman, André Marques.
TRIBUTES POUR FOR HEATHER
Heather Hall’s friends shared tributes online.
Gina Fennell wrote: “Heather Hall you were all things… Beautiful, fun, adventurous, smart, and kind. There is a hole in our hearts that cannot be filled without you in this world.”
Will David, a close friend, said: “Heather just took the reins in life and continually lived it to its fullest… She always wanted to go with her daughter to the border to help asylum seekers. It was not just her actions, but the love that flowed through her heart you could see from the first moment you met her.”
“Deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Professor Heather Hall from College of Charleston. Our hearts go out to her family, friends, colleagues, and students during this difficult time. Professor Hall’s dedication to education and her contributions to our community will be remembered,” Senator Tim Scott wrote on his Facebook.
Authorities continue investigating, inspecting other Lisbon tram lines and elevators, including Lavra, Graça, and Bica, to determine what caused the deadly derailment.
Hall specialized in special education[/caption]
Her family described her as a mother who “believed in them with all her heart”[/caption]
