A man has denied causing death by dangerous driving after a father and daughter were killed when a car hit five people.

Yoram Hirshfeld, 78, and Noga Sella, 40, died after they were struck by a black Alfa Romeo in Leopold Street, Ramsgate, just after 9.30pm on Wednesday, August 10.

A young girl was seriously injured, and 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 later 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 appeared via videolink at Canterbury Crown Court this morning, where he pleaded not guilty to all charges.

A provisional trial date was set for November 28.

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 was understood to have been visiting from Israel.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, 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, and a bench was removed from the scene.

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

Reacting to the tragedy the next day, Mayor of Ramsgate Cllr Raushan Ara, who has a business in nearby Harbour Street, said her heart went 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 that evening, and well-wishers left floral tributes.

One read: "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."

Bissendary has also been charged with failing to stop at the scene of a collision, drug-driving and failing to provide a sample for analysis, but has yet to enter a plea to the alleged offences.

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.

They specifically want to speak with a motorbike rider wearing a black helmet, who is believed to have turned into Leopold Street from the direction of Harbour Parade at the point of the collision.

The bike is described as a cruiser-style bike with a full-length chrome exhaust.

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