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Inquest told of injuries to four students in crash

Shivani Chaudhari
BBC News, Essex
Reporting fromEssex Coroner's Court
Essex Police/Essex Rebels Basketball (Clockwise from top left) TJ Hibbert in his basketball top for a team portrait, Eva Darold-Tchikaya smiling while standing in front of an orange bush, Makyle Bayley in red clothing on a basketball court and Daljang Wol, also in his basketball kit in a team portrait.Essex Police/Essex Rebels Basketball
(Clockwise from top left) TJ Hibbert, Eva Darold-Tchikaya, Makyle Bayley and Daljang Wol "touched the lives of so many" at the University of Essex

Four university students killed in a crash died of head injuries or multiple injuries, the opening of an inquest has heard.

Makyle Bayley, 22, Eva Darold-Tchikaya, 21, Anthony "TJ" 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 Bayley and Ms Darold-Tchikaya suffered severe traumatic head injuries, Thursday's hearing at Essex Coroner's Court was told. Mr Hibbert and Mr Wol had multiple injuries.

Senior coroner Lincoln Brookes, who offered his condolences to the families of the University of Essex students, said: "Sadly and very tragically all four individuals died together."

CCTV showed the car moments before the fatal crash

He added: "Unusually, at the request of the police, I attended the scene and the deceased and the vehicle on the day over the weekend."

Coroner's officer Andy Flack told the hearing Mr Bayley had been driving the car.

The inquest, in Chelmsford, was adjourned until 18 July while the Essex Police investigation continued.

The force appealed to anyone who saw a black Ford Focus being driven in the area to come forward.

Alan Bolster Old building with section of brick wall demolished. There is a pile of bricks in front of the wall and four people - wearing construction-type clothing are standing next to the building. A picture of an owl is painted on the building front wall and the name Dusty's is written above the front doors.Alan Bolster
Witness Alan Bolster, who lives opposite, saw the scene directly after the car crashed into Dusty's second-hand shop in Magdalen Street

The University of Essex has said it is in mourning for the four students, who had all been well known on campus.

Mr Hibbert and Mr Wol had been "outstanding members" of the Essex Rebels men's basketball team, it said.

Mr Bayley was a "talented basketball player" and a member of the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) basketball team.

Ms Darold-Tchikaya had multiple roles in the Essex Blades Dance Club and was active in other clubs and societies.

'Terrible scene'

The Labour MP for Colchester has asked the government for a meeting to discuss road safety in Essex following the deaths of the four students and two children in Pitsea at the weekend.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Pam Cox said: "All four of those were much-loved students at the University of Essex.

"I wish to put on record a tribute to the police and first responders at that terrible scene."

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