Graeme Winn, 65, and Elaine Winn, 58, were among the four people who died in the crash on Thursday at Monte Faito in the town of Castellammare di Stabia near Naples, according to a spokesman for the local mayor’s office.
It is believed that the wire snapped and the brakes failed when they were 20 seconds away from arriving at the top, causing the cable car containing the couple, from Market Harborough in Leicestershire, to fall to the ground.
An Israeli national and the Italian driver of the cable car also died, while a fifth person was seriously injured in the incident, it was reported.
Mrs Winn, who was part of a local bikers’ group along with her husband, was a school business manager at Welland Park Academy, which said it was “deeply saddened” after the crash.
The gondola crashed to the ground (AP)
A Welland Park Academy spokesperson said: “Elaine was a much loved and highly respected member of our school community. Her professionalism, warmth, and unwavering dedication to school life touched the lives of students, staff, and families alike.
“She gave so much to the school beyond her role, and many students will have fond memories of her from the school trips she supported over the years. The care and kindness she showed to everyone in our community means her loss will be felt deeply by us all.
“We are currently supporting our staff and preparing to support our students as they return from the Easter break. Plans are also being made to commemorate Elaine’s life in a meaningful way within the school.
Four people died in the incident (AP)
“We kindly ask that the privacy of Elaine’s family, and that of our school community, be respected as we come to terms with this loss.”
A spokesman for Luigi Vicinanza Sindaco, the mayor of Ca...
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