Officers investigating the deaths of a father and daughter following a collision in Ramsgate are continuing to appeal for witnesses on the four-week anniversary of the incident.
Noga Sella, 37, and Yoram Hirshfeld, 81, both died when they were hit by a black Alfa Romeo in Leopold Street at around 9.35pm on Wednesday 10 August.
Mrs Sella’s husband Omer also sustained serious injuries. Two children were also injured in the collision.
The family have now disclosed that Mrs Sella was five weeks pregnant when she died. They would like to thank everyone who helped at the time and to those who have come forward since, and urge anyone who has not yet spoken to police to come forward even if they feel their information is insignificant.
Noga was a Consultant Physicist living in Cambridge with Omer and their children. Her father Yoram lived in Israel and was in the UK to visit his family.
Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit would particularly like to identify a motorcyclist who was in the area at the time of the incident and may have important information.
The motorcyclist, who was wearing a black helmet, is believed to have turned into Leopold Street from the direction of Harbour Parade at the point of the collision before travelling towards Queen Street. The vehicle is described as a cruiser-style bike with a full-length chrome exhaust.
Officers are also appealing for anyone to come forward who was in the area from 8.30pm and may have dashcam footage which could assist.
Any other witnesses or local businesses with CCTV evidence are also encouraged to call the appeal line on 01622 798538 quoting reference DS/DGC/090/22.
Nitesh Bissendary, 30, of Highlands Glade, Manston, has been charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving; assault occasioning actual bodily harm, failing to provide a sample, failing to stop, and driving while unfit through drugs.
At a pre-trial preparatory hearing Nitesh Bissendary pleaded not guilty to two charges of causing death by dangerous driving, two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
No pleas were entered for further charges of failing to stop at the scene of a collision, drug-driving and failing to provide a sample for analysis.
A provisional trial date is set for 28 November and the next hearing will be a pre-trial review on 15 November.
A 58-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman who were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and possession with intent to supply class A drugs remain on bail pending further enquiries until Thursday 8 September.
A public meeting is being held following calls for a 20mph zone in Ramsgate town following the tragic loss of life in the Leopold Street incident.
The meeting, which has been arranged by County Councillor Karen Constantine, will take place at Ramsgate’s Comfort Inn on September 9 from 7pm to 8.45pm.
This tragedy just keeps getting worse so sad to read that Mrs Sella was expecting a another baby making 3 killed by someone who should never have been behind the wheel of a car, and yesterday I received a KCC Engagement & Consultation team survey for their Alcohol and Drug strategy for 2023 to 2028, and the killer was being assisted ( on suspicion ) by 2 58 & 55 year old drug pushing scum, These are among the crimes when I wish we had the death penalty alongside live in prison as people of that age are never going to change and why should we pay for them to live in jail or be free to make other peoples lives a misery.
Well said Chris, can’t believe the scum bag has gone not guilty on the charges, people like him need the gallows
i totaly agree with the above comments , hanging would be too good and quick for this vermin ,
I wrote to MP Mackinlay to as about effective traffic controls. His response was to tell me how sorry he was about the incident but that “central government had no role as it lies with Kent Council”. I wrote to KCC who responded with many points, none of which helped.
We need traffic controls like speed reductions (20’s Plenty) with ANPR enforcement, chicanes that force vehicles to drive slower, etc.
Raging about capital punishment won’t help. Improved street design and more traffic light crossings will.
It all costs money so, if KCC can’t afford it that’s where central government come in.