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Tributes paid to four students killed in crash | |
(about 20 hours later) | |
(Clockwise from top left) Eva Darold-Tchikaya, TJ Hibbert, Makyle Bayley and Daljang Wol "touched the lives of so many" at the University of Essex | (Clockwise from top left) Eva Darold-Tchikaya, TJ Hibbert, Makyle Bayley and Daljang Wol "touched the lives of so many" at the University of Essex |
Tributes have been paid to four students who died in a crash that has left a city's university "torn apart". | Tributes have been paid to four students who died in a crash that has left a city's university "torn apart". |
University of Essex students Makyle Bayley, 22, Eva Darold-Tchikaya, 21, Anthony Hibbert, 24 and Daljang Wol, 22, died when a car crashed into a building on Magdalen Street, Colchester, at about 04:40 GMT on Saturday. | |
Mr Hibbert's family said he was "loved by all" and left a "lasting warmth in the hearts of everyone he met". | Mr Hibbert's family said he was "loved by all" and left a "lasting warmth in the hearts of everyone he met". |
Mr Wol's family said he had a "contagious" smile, adding that "his kindness left a lasting impact on countless lives", and Mr Bayley's family said he was an "extraordinary young man". | |
Witness Alan Bolster, who lives opposite, saw the scene directly after the car crashed into Dusty's second-hand shop on Magdalen Street, which is now being assessed for structural damage | |
The university said all the students had a played an active role on campus through clubs and societies and were well known. | The university said all the students had a played an active role on campus through clubs and societies and were well known. |
It said Mr Hibbert and Mr Wol had been "outstanding members" of the Essex Rebels men's basketball team, while Mr Bayley was a member of the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) basketball team. | It said Mr Hibbert and Mr Wol had been "outstanding members" of the Essex Rebels men's basketball team, while Mr Bayley was a member of the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) basketball team. |
Ms Darold-Tchikaya was a member of the Essex Blades Dance Club, as well as other societies. | Ms Darold-Tchikaya was a member of the Essex Blades Dance Club, as well as other societies. |
In a statement, Mr Hibbert's family said: "We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of TJ, a young man whose passion for basketball was matched only by his kindness and uplifting spirit." | |
Mr Bayley was an "extraordinary young man" who was in his final year of studying sports science, his family said. | |
"Makyle was much more than a talented athlete - he was a beloved son, a proud big brother, and a true friend to so many," they added. | |
"His kindness, thoughtfulness and the joy he brought to those around him will never be forgotten." | |
An investigation is taking place to determine what led to the collision | |
The family of Mr Wol said: "With heavy hearts, we share the passing of our beloved son, Daljang Wol (popularly known as DJ), whose life was cut short by a tragic car accident. | |
"His smile was contagious and it touched everyone who knew him. His kindness left a lasting impact on countless lives. | |
"We will forever cherish the memories, the lessons, and the love he shared with us. | |
"We find comfort in knowing that DJ died as a hero because he touched so many lives in the little time he shared with us on this Earth." | |
The vice-chancellor, Prof Maria Fasli, said the "whole university is in mourning". | The vice-chancellor, Prof Maria Fasli, said the "whole university is in mourning". |
"They touched the lives of so many of us at Essex; their friends, classmates, the teams they played for, and the staff with whom they spent time," she said. | |
Pam Cox, Colchester's Labour MP, was formerly professor of social history and criminology at the university and said: "I know what will be going on there. | |
"They look after their students so well; they will rally round, but they will be absolutely torn apart by this. | |
"It's just devastating; absolutely awful. I can't imagine what it must be like; as a parent your heart absolutely goes out. Four young people in Colchester cut off in their prime. | |
"I wouldn't want to speculate as to causes or the nature of what happened, but once we know a bit more about it, we can look to see if any improvements can be made in that specific area." | |
Tributes to the students have been left at the crash scene | Tributes to the students have been left at the crash scene |
Alan Bolster, who lives opposite the scene, said he was asleep when he woke to the sound "of an almighty crash". | |
He said he looked out of a window, adding: "As soon as I saw the car in the side of the building, I got on to the emergency services and called for an ambulance. | He said he looked out of a window, adding: "As soon as I saw the car in the side of the building, I got on to the emergency services and called for an ambulance. |
"There wasn't a great deal I could do. I just waited for emergency services to turn up and at that point it was fairly clear that it was a serious accident. | "There wasn't a great deal I could do. I just waited for emergency services to turn up and at that point it was fairly clear that it was a serious accident. |
"Very sad indeed." | "Very sad indeed." |
Essex Police said the students, who died at the scene, had all been inside the car. | Essex Police said the students, who died at the scene, had all been inside the car. |
The force said it was not thought any other vehicles were involved. | The force said it was not thought any other vehicles were involved. |
It has appealed to anyone who saw a black Ford Focus being driven in the area to come forward. | It has appealed to anyone who saw a black Ford Focus being driven in the area to come forward. |
Get in touch | Get in touch |
Do you have a story suggestion for Essex? | Do you have a story suggestion for Essex? |
Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, external, Instagram, external and X, external. | Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, external, Instagram, external and X, external. |