An 82-year-old man from the United Kingdom has been identified as one of the casualties in a tragic railway accident that occurred in Portugal. Andrew David Kenneth Young lost his life along with 15 others when the Glória funicular cable railway in Lisbon experienced a derailment on Wednesday, September 3. He becomes the third British victim to be publicly named, joining Kayleigh Gillian Smith, 36, and William Nelson, 44, in the unfortunate incident.
In a statement honoring Mr. Young, his family shared, “Andrew David Kenneth Young, known as Dave to many, was raised in Auchterarder, Perthshire. After moving to Holyhead in 1980, he enjoyed a lengthy career as a customs officer. A devoted enthusiast of transportation, he spent his retirement exploring heritage railways and tramways worldwide. His loved ones find solace in knowing that his final moments were spent pursuing the passion that brought him immense joy.”
The fatal accident involving the Gloria Funicular is suspected to have been caused by a malfunctioning cable, leading the railway car to careen down a steep slope and collide with a building, ultimately collapsing “like a cardboard box,” as recounted by witnesses.
Of the 16 individuals who lost their lives, the victims included three British citizens, five Portuguese nationals, two South Koreans, two Canadians, one American, one Ukrainian, one Swiss, and one French individual. Additionally, twenty-two others sustained injuries during the tragic event.
Eyewitness Teresa d’Avo described the harrowing scene, 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 lift descending uncontrollably towards them from above, prompting a frantic escape as the situation unfolded unpredictably.
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