An 82-year-old British man has been identified as one of the victims of a tragic railway accident in Portugal. Andrew David Kenneth Young was among 16 people who lost their lives when the Glória funicular cable railway in Lisbon derailed on Wednesday, September 3. He is the third British national confirmed dead in the incident, following the deaths of Kayleigh Gillian Smith, 36, and William Nelson, 44.

Mr Young’s family released a heartfelt tribute, stating, “Andrew David Kenneth Young was known to most as Dave. He was raised in Auchterarder, Perthshire. He moved to Holyhead in 1980 where he had a long career as a customs officer.” They added, “A lifelong transport enthusiast, in retirement he enjoyed visiting heritage railways and tramways around the world. It is a comfort to his sons, their mother, and his brothers that his final moments were in pursuit of the hobby which gave him so much happiness.”

The Glória Funicular is believed to have lost control due to a loose cable, careening down a steep hill before crashing into a building. Witnesses described the scene as devastating, with one stating, “It crashed into a building with brutal force and fell apart like a cardboard box. It crashed with tremendous force. It didn't have any kind of brakes.” Another witness recounted the terrifying moment, saying, “It wasn't travelling at normal speed at all, and we only had time to turn around and start running, because we didn't know if it was going to hit the lift below.”

In total, the incident claimed the lives of three British citizens, five Portuguese nationals, two South Koreans, two Canadians, one American, one Ukrainian, one Swiss, and one French citizen. Additionally, 22 others sustained injuries during the horrific event. The community is mourning the loss of life as investigations into the cause of the derailment continue.