Cambridge physicist and her father killed and child seriously injured as car collides with five pedestrians in Ramsgate
A physicist from Milton and her father have died, and her young daughter seriously injured, after a car collided with them in Kent.
Noga Sella, 40, a consultant physicist at Cambridge Design Partnership, and her father, 78-year-old Yoram Hirshfeld, from Israel, were killed when they were struck by a black Alfa Romeo outside the multi-storey car park in Leopold Street, Ramsgate, at about 9.35pm on Wednesday (August 10).
Noga’s six-year-old daughter suffered serious injuries and was taken to a London hospital for treatment, while her husband and eight-year-old son sustained minor injuries.
A Kent police spokesman said: “We attended and a 30-year-old man from Ramsgate was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and leaving the scene of a collision.
“He is also currently receiving hospital treatment for minor injuries.
“Inquiries into the incident are being carried out by officers from the serious collision investigation unit who are keen to hear from any witnesses, local businesses with CCTV evidence or drivers with relevant dashcam footage.”
Noga came to Cambridge from Israel in 2018 and worked at Cambridge Consultants as a senior engineer/physicist for two years and eight months, before moving to Cambridge Design Partnership in June 2021.
A Girlguiding leader, she had a BSc in physics from Tel Aviv University and an MSc in high energy astrophysics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Paying tribute on Twitter, Gabriel Bienzobas, the leader of Milton Cycling Campaign and Camcycle trustee, said: “Noga was funny and full of energy, she also always wanted to help, she cycled everywhere in Cambridge, and we had a few conversations about many topics in the short time I knew her. There is no fairness in life.”
Cambs East Guides wrote: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Cambs East Guide & Ranger leader, Noga Sella, who was tragically killed on holiday this week.
“You can find resources to help support you & your unit during these difficult times at: https://tinyurl.com/2p8ea562.”
A witness said there were three fire engines, five ambulances and “at last 15 police cars” at the scene, adding: “There must have been about 50 emergency services people on scene that we could see.”
A wall, opposite the entrance to the Royal Harbour multi-storey car park, was damaged and a road sign knocked down,
The mayor of Ramsgate, Cllr Raushan Ara, who has a business in nearby Harbour Street, said her heart goes out to the family.
“It’s so sad,” she said. “I was frightened last night because there so many police cars and ambulances - and the fire engines were going up and down until 11pm.”
Cllr Ara held a vigil at the scene of the crash at 7pm on Thursday evening.
Well-wishers have left floral tributes at the scene.
One reads: “We don’t know your names, but we was with you all, and praying for you when medics tried to save you both last night. Our prayers are with you both and the rest of your family.”
Witnesses can call the Kent police appeal line on 01622 798538 quoting reference DS/DGC/090/22.
