Porsche killed German au pair crossing Knightsbridge road

A German au pair was killed in a collision with a sports car a week before she was due to leave Britain, an inquest heard.

Kristina Sporbeck, 20, was thrown into railings after a Porsche Cayenne struck her as she crossed the road in Knightsbridge in June 2009. The car was driven by Ali Megerisi, who has since moved to Dubai.

Miss Sporbeck had worked as an au pair in Belgravia for a year to improve her English and was due to begin a university course in Vienna.
Witnesses said Mr Megerisi was driving at "high speed".

Guilham Goyard, who was waiting at a bus stop, told the inquest: "It was like when you have a police car chasing someone. What struck me as well as the speed was the sound of the engine going into another gear."

Mr Megerisi told police he was not speeding and Miss Sporbeck ran out in front of his car. He was arrested and later charged with careless driving but the case was dropped. Miss Sporbeck's mother travelled from Germany to attend the inquest.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Westminster coroner Dr Shirley Radcliffe turned to her and said: "Unfortunately your lovely daughter is never going to come back but this was simply a tragic accident."

Mr Megerisi had been due to attend the hearing but Westminster coroner's court heard that he was unable to travel for medical reasons.