Ramsgate: Two killed and young girl seriously injured after car hits five from same family

Two members of the same family have been killed and a young girl is seriously injured after a car crashed into pedestrians in Ramsgate.

A black Alfa Romeo hit the family as they walked past a multi-storey car park in Leopold Street at around 9.35pm on Wednesday night.

A man aged in his 80s and a woman in her 30s died in the incident, while a girl of primary school age was taken to a London hospital for treatment for serious injuries, Kent Police said.

They confirmed that all the pedestrians were members of the same family.

A 30-year-old man from Ramsgate has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and leaving the scene of a collision.

He is receiving hospital treatment for minor injuries, police said.

A man aged in his 40s and a boy of primary school age also suffered minor injuries, the force added.

One eyewitness said there were three fire engines, five ambulances and "at last 15 police cars" at the scene.

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

This morning an area of Leopold Street has been taped off, while a wall opposite the entrance to the car park has been damaged and a road sign knocked to the floor.

A bench has also been removed in the wake of the accident.

Mayor of Ramsgate, Raushan Ara, who has a business nearby, said her heart goes out to the family.

Reacting to the tragedy, she said: "It's so sad. I was frightened last night because there so many police cars and ambulances – and the fire engines were going up and down until 11pm."

Ara added that the incident reinforces the need for "speed controls" in the town, reducing the limit to 20mph.

She added: "We have been fighting for this for many years."

A vigil at the scene of the crash is due to take place at 7pm this evening.

Police have appealed for any witnesses, local businesses with CCTV or drivers with relevant dashcam footage to contact them by calling the appeal line on 01622 798538 quoting reference DS/DGC/090/22.