02 February 2025 , 18:31
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Four students from the University of Essex died in a horror car crash in Colchester in the early hours of Saturday morning, as police urged people to keep their curtains shut.
Police have named the victims who died in a horrific car crash in Colchester, Essex, early Saturday morning as four students in their early 20s.
The car, containing three men and a woman, was involved in a collision with a second hand shop in Magdalen Street shortly before 4.40am on Saturday. The destroyed vehicle was embedded deep into the walls of the building and firefighters had to build a temporary wooden platform to free the bodies of the driver and three passengers.
All four sadly died at the scene. Essex Police have this afternoon named them as University of Essex students Makyle Bayley, 22, Eva Darold-Tchikaya, 21 Anthony Hibbert, 24, and 22 year-old Daljang Wol.
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.
"They all played an active role in our community through clubs and societies and were well-known around the University. Anthony and Daljang were outstanding members of our Essex Rebels men’s basketball 1st team, Makyle was a talented basketball player who was a member of our BUCS basketball team and Eva undertook several roles in our Essex Blades Dance Club and was active in many other clubs and societies.
"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.
"At a time like this, words can never describe our sadness and emotion. But it is more important than ever that we come together, support one another, and honour their memory. In the coming days, we will share details of a time and place for our university community to gather in remembrance, to reflect on their lives, and to stand alongside those who loved them.
"This news will affect each of us in different ways and if you need help or support, details of where you can find this are provided below. 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."
Essex Police has called for anyone who saw a black Ford Focus being driven along Magdalen Street or near the area, or have any CCTV, dash cam or doorbell footage to contact them, quoting incident 179 of 1 February. 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.”