The tragic deaths of William Nelson, 44, and Kayleigh Smith, 36, from Macclesfield have been formally recognized as inquests opened this week at Cheshire Coroner’s Court in Warrington. The young couple were among 16 victims killed when a hillside tram in Lisbon derailed and crashed into a building on September 3.
Nelson, a drama teacher at the Arden School of Theatre in Manchester, and Smith, a theatre director, had only arrived in Portugal for a holiday the day before the accident. Their sudden passing has sent shockwaves through the local community, where colleagues and students remember them as passionate, talented, and warm-hearted individuals who touched the lives of everyone around them.
Will’s funeral was held earlier this month at Wigan Crematorium, followed by a wake at Whelley Ex-Servicemen’s Club, while the community continues to mourn the loss of both. Senior Coroner Jacqueline Devonish confirmed their identities and the basic circumstances of their deaths during the preliminary hearing, which was adjourned for report preparation. A full inquest is scheduled for May 5, 2026.
Friends and family have described the couple’s loss as devastating, with many reflecting on their shared love of theatre and the joy they brought to those around them. Their untimely deaths serve as a somber reminder of life’s fragility, even in the midst of routine moments like a holiday abroad.