Cambridge physicist Noga Sella was five weeks pregnant when she was struck by a car and died, family confirm

Cambridge physicist Noga Sella was pregnant with her third child when she died along with her father after they were struck by a car, the family has confirmed.

Noga, 37, and Yoram Hirschfeld, 81, were killed in Ramsgate, Kent, when a black Alfa Romeo hit them as they returned to their hotel following a meal in the town. Her husband, Omer, and two children were also injured.

Shortly after the incident in Leopold Street at 9.35pm on Wednesday, August 10, Nitesh Bissendary, 30, of Highlands Glade, Manston, in Kent, was arrested.

He was later 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.

He appeared via videolink at Canterbury Crown Court last month, and is due back in court on November 28.

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 today (September 8).

A month on, as police renewed their witness appeal, the family confirmed that Noga had been five weeks pregnant at the time.

They thanked everyone who helped at the time, and those who have come forward since, and urged anyone who has not yet spoken to police to come forward, even if they feel the information is insignificant.

Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit in Kent want to trace a motorcycle rider wearing a black helmet who was seen on a cruiser style bike with chrome exhausts. It is believed the rider turned into Leopold Street from the direction of Harbour Parade at the point of the collision before travelling towards Queen Street.

Police also appealed for anyone to come forward who was in the area from 8.30pm and who may have dashcam footage that could assist.

Last month, the coroner's court at County Hall in Maidstone heard that the family had been at dinner together in the hours before the tragedy. They were just around the corner from a Travelodge when they were struck by a car.

Despite the efforts of emergency services, the mother-of-two from Milton died at the scene.

Mr Hirshfeld, a retired maths professor at Tel Aviv University, had been on holiday from his native Israel visiting his daughter.

He sustained serious injuries to his spine and died on the way to hospital.

The inquest was opened and suspended to allow evidence to be gathered, pending ongoing police investigations into the crash.

Following the tragedy, colleagues at Noga’s employer Cambridge Design Partnership (CDP) and at Cambridge Consultants, where she previously worked, paid tribute to her.

Matt Schumann, founder and managing director at CDP, said: “Noga was a brilliant physicist who had an enormous impact on those who worked alongside her.

“People who can connect deep scientific knowledge with real-world context are rare, but Noga did this every day, looking at complex technical challenges logically and end-to-end. Her mathematical modelling and simulations were masterly - she could make or break an idea with her genius simulations. The maths didn’t lie.

“Her warmth matched her intelligence. She built people up, helping them feel confident and smart, and ardently championed professional development, particularly for her fellow women in STEM. We'll miss Noga deeply, and our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad and difficult time. We'll be sharing a fuller tribute to her soon.”

Josh Gibson, who manages the team that Noga used to work for at Cambridge Consultants, said: “She loved working in teams, enjoying sharing ideas and learning from others’ experiences. Especially memorable is Noga’s desire to support women in STEM; she developed close peer-mentoring and support relationships with other female colleagues to ensure everybody felt included.

“Noga also brought her motherhood to work; I loved meeting her daughter, as Noga brought her to a few group meetings after collecting her from nursery.”

Noga was leader of 2nd Milton Guides and Milton Rangers

Girlguiding Cambridgeshire East’s County Commissioner, Claire Course, said: “Noga was respected and cherished by the girls in her unit, as well as her fellow Girlguiding peers.”

Dozens of people attended a vigil at the scene of the tragedy, and well-wishers left floral tributes.