Lisbon funicular crash witness: 'All of sudden there was no brakes'. #BBCNews

Key Concepts:

• Cable car malfunction
• Brake failure
• Rapid descent
• Collision
• Panic and fear
• Rescue attempt

Account of the Cable Car Incident

The speaker recounts a harrowing experience on a cable car where the brakes failed unexpectedly. The incident occurred as the cable car, fully occupied, was ascending.

The Brake Failure and Descent

The speaker states, "All of a sudden there was no brakes in our cable car." This sudden brake failure caused the cable car to descend rapidly with uncontrolled acceleration. The speaker emphasizes the speed and lack of control, stating it was "going down fast with acceleration like there's no control."

The Collision and Immediate Aftermath

The uncontrolled descent culminated in a violent collision. The speaker describes the impact as "very hard," causing passengers to crash into each other. The sound of another cable car descending rapidly heightened the panic and confusion. "The hit was very hard and people were uh um crashing each other and then we heard the other one coming down very fast."

Attempted Escape and Rescue Efforts

In the ensuing chaos, the speaker's husband jumped from the window, and she handed him their son, preparing to jump herself. However, other individuals present urged them not to jump, indicating the extent of the damage. "My husband uh jumped from the window because we didn't know what's going on. I gave him my son and I was about to jump as well. Uh when the people that were here they told us uh no please don't jump. Everything is already crashed. Don't jump from the other side." The speaker's husband, a doctor, attempted to provide assistance but found the situation beyond rescue. "I told my husband, he's a doctor, please go up to see if you can rescue anyone. But uh he he couldn't. It was already crashed and there was no option to take out."

Synthesis/Conclusion

The speaker's account vividly portrays the sudden and terrifying nature of the cable car accident. The brake failure led to a rapid, uncontrolled descent and a violent collision. The immediate aftermath was marked by panic, confusion, and ultimately, the realization that rescue was impossible. The narrative underscores the speed and unexpectedness of the event, leaving the passengers with little time to react.