An alleged drug-driver has been remanded in custody after being charged with causing the deaths of a father and daughter who were killed when a car hit a family of five in Ramsgate.

Yoram Hirshfeld, 78, and Noga Sella, 40, died after they were knocked down by a black Alfa Romeo outside the multi-storey car park in Leopold Street just after 9.30pm on Wednesday.

A young girl was seriously injured, and remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital. A man in his 40s and a boy of primary school age suffered minor injuries.

Nitesh Bissendary, 30, of Highlands Glade, Manston, was arrested shortly after the incident and has since been charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He has also been charged with failing to stop at the scene of a collision, drug-driving and failing to provide a sample for analysis.

He appeared before Folkestone Magistrates’ Court earlier today and has now been remanded in custody.

Bissendary will next appear before Canterbury Crown Court on Monday, August 22.

A 58-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman were also arrested, on suspicion of assisting an offender and possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

Both have since been released on bail pending further inquiries until September 8.

Mrs Sella was a consultant physicist living in Cambridge with her family.

Her father is understood to have been visiting from Israel.

The Jerusalem Post - Israel's most-read English news website - reports that Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has received details of the accident, and consul head Sima Duvdevani is in contact with the victims’ families.

One eyewitness told KentOnline there were three fire engines, five ambulances and "at least 15 police cars" at the scene.

"There must have been about 50 emergency services people on scene that we could see," they said.

An area of Leopold Street was taped off for several hours in the aftermath.

A wall, opposite the entrance to the Royal Harbour multi-storey car park, was damaged and a road sign knocked to the floor.

A bench has also been removed.

Reacting to the tragedy, 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.

Dozens attended a vigil at the scene of the tragedy on Thursday evening, and well-wishers 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."

Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit are still keen to hear from any witnesses, local businesses with CCTV evidence or drivers with relevant dashcam footage.

Call the appeal line on 01622 798538 quoting reference DS/DGC/090/22.