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Four students who died after a vehicle crashed into a building in Colchester in the early hours of Saturday have been named.
Essex Police named the people as University of Essex students Makyle Bayley, 22, Eva Darold-Tchikaya, 21, Anthony Hibbert, 24 and 22-year-old Daljang Wol.
Emergency services rushed to the incident in Magdalen Street at around 4.40am where they died at the scene.
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.”
Essex Police asked anyone who saw a black Ford Focus being driven along Magdalen Street or in the near vicinity around the time of the crash, or have any CCTV, dash-cam or doorbell footage, to contact them.
Anyone with information, CCTV, dashcam or other footage relating to the incident has been asked to contact the force quoting incident 179 of 1 February, or to contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
University of Essex Vice Chancellor Maria Fasli said: “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.”
This is a breaking news story. More to follow…
