CHARLESTON , S.C. (WCIV) — A faculty member of the College of Charleston was killed Wednesday, in the derailment of a streetcar in Portugal, which killed 16 people and injured 21 others.

Dr. Heather Hall was confirmed as deceased in an email sent to students from the College on Friday.

According to the school, Hall was a Department of Teacher Education faculty member specializing in literacy and special education.

The Dean of the School of Education, Fran Welch, released the following statement:

This is a tragic loss for all of us. Heather’s untimely death occurred while she was in Lisbon to speak at a conference. As an alumna of the College and a dynamic instructor with a specialization is special education, she shared her love of travel with her students. Her energy, kindness and student-centeredness will be deeply missed.

READ MORE | Lisbon streetcar crash death toll hits 16 as city mourns worst disaster in recent history

Though official details are still being confirmed about the crash, the AP reports that authorities are calling the derailment an accident. Portugal’s Prime Minister Luis Montenegro describes the derailment as one of Lisbon’s worst tragedies in recent memory.

Witnesses told local media that the streetcar appeared out of control as it careened down a hill at around 6 p.m. Wednesday, during the evening rush hour.

“A tragic accident caused the irreparable loss of human life, which left in mourning their families and dismayed the whole country,” the government said in a statement.

Hall’s family provided the following statement to News 4 Friday evening.

Heather Lynn Hall, a beloved daughter, sister, mother, educator, and advocate, passed away doing what she did best — living life fully, boldly, and with a heart wide open to the world. Born in Rock Hill, South Carolina, Heather grew up in a home overflowing with unconditional love. That love expanded outward, reaching every corner of her life. She didn’t just have friends — she had soul-deep connections with people who felt truly seen and cherished by her. To know Heather was to be known and loved in return.As a first-generation college student, Heather blazed a trail as a special educator in the Charleston County School District, where she served in the classroom for nearly two decades. Her passion for creating inclusive spaces for children and adults with disabilities extended far beyond the school walls. She served on the Charleston Disability Board and was a tireless advocate for equity, representation, and belonging.Never one to settle, Heather earned her doctorate from the University of South Carolina and returned to her alma mater, the College of Charleston, as a faculty member — shaping and inspiring the next generation of special educators. She believed deeply in the power of education to change lives, and she poured her wisdom, joy, and belief in others into her students and colleagues alike.Heather was also a proud performer with Heart: An Inclusive Arts Community, where her passion for the arts shone as brightly as her smile. Whether she was onstage singing and dancing, or across the globe on one of her many study abroad adventures — from France to Ghana to Central America — Heather approached life with infectious enthusiasm and curiosity. She taught all of us that the hardest part of stepping into a new experience is simply showing up — and once you do, the world opens wide. Her life was extraordinary, not only in her accomplishments but in the way she loved and lived.But above all else, Heather’s most cherished role was that of being a mother to two amazing children. She believed in them with all her heart and wanted nothing more than for them to live their lives fully — finding their purpose, trusting themselves, and being open to joy, adventure, and the wild, wonderful possibility of life.Heather Lynn Hall leaves behind a legacy of love, courage, inclusion, and joy. May we honor her by living as she did—with curiosity, compassion, and open hearts.”

Senator Tim Scott said on social media he was deeply saddened to hear the news.

Officials declined to speculate on whether a faulty brake or a snapped cable may have caused the derailment, and details are still poring in.

The AP reported that the Portugal government’s Office for Air and Rail Accident Investigations said it would issue a preliminary technical report Friday. Chief police investigator Nelson Oliveira said a preliminary police report with a broader scope is expected within 45 days.