Inquests have been opened into the tragic deaths of a young British couple who were killed in the Lisbon funicular disaster. William Nelson, 44, and Kayleigh Smith, 36, from Macclesfield, were among 16 others who lost their lives when a hillside tram in the Portuguese capital derailed and crashed into a building on September 3.

Senior Coroner Jacqueline Devonish opened both inquests at Cheshire Coroner’s Court in Warrington on Wednesday (October 22). During the brief hearing, the couple's identities were confirmed along with basic details of the circumstances of their deaths.

It was then adjourned for the preparation of reports, and a full inquest for the couple together was later scheduled to take place on May 5 2026. It was previously reported the duo had only arrived in the country fo

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