Tributes pour in for 4 university students killed in crash as they drove home from night out before car hit building

HEARTFELT tributes have poured in after four university students were killed when their car careered up a pavement and ploughed into a building.

The victims have been named by police as University of Essex students Makyle Bayley, 21, Eva Darold-Tchikaya, 21, Anthony Hibbert, 24, and Daljang Wol, 22.

All of them died at the scene of the suspected high speed crash involving a black Ford Focus as they drove back from a night out.

The accident happened at 4.40am on Saturday when the driver went up the wrong side of the road and mounted the pavement, hitting a set of brick steps outside a house.

The car then became embedded in the corner of a building containing a second hand shop and a Thai massage parlour in Magdalen Street, Colchester.

Essex Rebels Basketball paid emotional tribute to the four young students after the horror smash.

Two of the students, basketball players Mr Wol and Mr Hibbert, were also pictured for the first time in their Essex Rebels team jerseys. 

A statement on X, formerly Twitter, read: "We are heartbroken by the loss of Makyle Bayley, Eva Darold-Tchikaya, Anthony Hibbert and Daljang Wol.

"No words can fully express the incredible sadness everyone in the Rebels family is feeling."

Meanwhile, 21-year-old Ms Darold-Tchikaya, an accomplished dancer, was remembered by her dance group who posted a heartfelt tribute. 

"Our dance family has lost a wonderful dancer, team mate, teacher and Vice president," they wrote. 

"Eva Darold-Tchikaya you are forever in our hearts."

A post on the University of Essex's official account said: "Our whole University is in mourning for Makyle, Eva, Anthony and Daljang.

"They touched the lives of so many of us. Our thoughts are with everyone who knew them."

University of Essex Vice Chancellor Maria Fasli had earlier posted: "It is with deep sadness I must share the devastating news four of our students – Makyle Bayley, Anthony Hibbert, Eva Darold-Tchikaya, and Daljang Wol – tragically lost their lives this weekend.

"These were young lives filled with hope, promise, talent, and dreams for the future.

"Their loss will be felt by their families and closest friends and by all our university community. In classrooms, in halls, in shared moments of laughter and learning – they were part of us, and their absence will be felt profoundly.

“In the coming days and weeks, we will find ways to honour Makyle, Anthony, Eva, and Daljang and ensure their light continues to shine in our university community. For now, we hold their families, their friends, and each other in our hearts."

The road remained closed for 22 hours while Essex Police began an investigation.

The impact of the horror crash was so great that bricks and debris was spread up to 50 yards up the road, according to shocked witnesses.

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper said: “I want to extend my condolences to the friends and family of Makyle, Eva, Anthony, and Daljang.

“This will be an incredibly difficult time for them and we have specialist officers supporting them.

“Our specialist Serious Collision Investigation Unit is investigating what led up to the collision but at this stage we do not believe any other vehicles were involved.

“I again want to thank all the attending emergency services for their efforts to maintain the dignity of those who died and to the community for their support and co-operation.

“If you have any information about what happened, please contact us.”

'AN ALMIGHTY BANG'

Mike Davies, 66, a builder from Colchester, said: "Police told me the car was so badly damaged inside the building they couldn't even tell what make or model it was.

"They had to construct a temporary wooden platform to be able to take it out. They even had to bring in a JCB to help get it freed. The building is completely wrecked."

He added: "I've spoken to several people who said the car was going at high speed on the wrong side of the road.

"There was a huge smash and everyone came out to try and help but they couldn't.

"There was a huge number of police cars, fire engines and ambulances here."

Retired taxi driver Colin Beattie, 78, who lives nearby said: "I am deaf in one ear, but I still heard an almighty bang.

"I saw all the blue flashing lights of emergency vehicles. There were ambulances, fire engines and police by the dozen.

"The car landed up on its side in the building. It looked a real mess, so it must have been hurtling down the road.

"There were bits and pieces all down the road."

Do you know more? Email ryan.merrifield@mcb777.site

Another resident Jodie Graves, 42, who was woken by the crash, said: "It was so loud that I thought I was dreaming until I saw my husband on the phone to the police.

"When the police knocked for us at about 5am, we had put down the blinds. That was when they said, 'I recommend you don't look out there'. It was just surreal – we were told not to look."

"I was impressed by just how professional they all were. They have got their designated roles, and they were working non-stop all day."

Alan Bolster, 44, said a police unit had placed the wreckage of the car in a wooden box before it was taken away on a low loader.

He said: "We had to close the blinds again, so we didn't see anything we didn't want to see. The car was absolutely totalled."

Colchester borough councillor Kirkby Taylor said: "The car was completely trashed and took out a big chunk of the building.

"Police had to bring in engineers to stabilise it and had to remove most of the frontage after the crash.

"It must have been on the wrong side of the road. It hit the set of steps before taking out a sign and a bollard, and hitting the building at speed.

"I want to pass on my deepest condolences to the families. My heart really goes out to them. It is absolutely heartbreaking."

WRECKED SHOP

Brian Amey, 80, who runs Dusty's second hand shop in the building, said: "The shop is wrecked and we have lost our livelihood - but that is insignificant when you think of four lives being lost.

"We are desperately hoping that the building can be saved, and we are waiting to find out if that is possible."

Mr Amey opened his business around three-years-ago selling second hand bikes, lawnmowers and items such as crockery.

His partner Fai Hatcher, 51, who runs the SP Thai Massage and Therapy parlour in the same building, said: "It is just terrible.

"We rented the building and it is now destroyed. We want to carry on working, but we don't know if we will be able to come back."

A previous Essex Police statement said: "We were called shortly before 4.40am on Saturday to reports a vehicle had been in collision with a building in Magdalen Street.

"Emergency services attended but, sadly, four people died at the scene. Their families have been informed and will be supported by specialist officers.

Essex Police are asking for help from with information, CCTV, dashcam or other footage in relation to the incident.

Submit reports on the online Live Chat service on the Essex Police website which is available 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week.