Four University of Essex students, including two talented basketball players, tragically died in a suspected high-speed crash on Saturday morning in Colchester.
The victims, identified as Makyle Bayley, 22, Eva Darold-Tchikaya, 21, Anthony Hibbert, 24, and Daljang Wol, 22, were all students at the university and were returning home after a night out. The horrific crash took place around 4:40am, with the car, which had mounted the pavement and collided with a building, leaving the vehicle unrecognizable. Police initially struggled to identify the car due to the severity of the impact.
The four students, all with bright futures ahead of them, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Makyle Bayley and Daljang Wol, both basketball players for the Essex Rebels, have been remembered fondly by the team. In a moving tribute shared on social media, the Essex Rebels wrote, “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.”
The university’s Vice Chancellor, Maria Fasli, also expressed her condolences, acknowledging the deep loss to the entire university community. “Their absence will be felt across the university, and we are providing support to their families and friends during this unimaginably difficult time,” she said.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist the grieving family of Makyle Bayley, with the organizer describing him as “the most caring, purest soul anyone could ever cross paths with.”
“He lightened every room he came into and was the best role model for everyone who looked up to him. He followed his dreams for basketball, and everyone who ever knew him knew that he just wanted to be the best at what he loved.
As tributes continue to pour in, friends and teammates reflect on the joy and talent that the young students brought to their respective sports. Makyle was known for his dedication to basketball, while Eva, an accomplished dancer, was remembered by her dance group, who wrote, “Our dance family has lost a wonderful dancer, team mate, teacher, and Vice President.
The tragic accident occurred in Magdalen Street, Colchester, where the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to mount the pavement and crash into a building containing a secondhand shop and a Thai massage parlour. The crash caused significant damage to the building, with debris scattered up to 50 yards away. Witnesses described the crash as so violent that the make of the car was unrecognizable.
Essex Police have confirmed that no other vehicles were involved in the collision, and they are continuing their investigation into the cause. Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper expressed gratitude to the emergency services and the community for their support. “We are working tirelessly to provide the families of the victims with the answers they deserve,” he said.
A moment of silence will be observed in the basketball world in memory of the four students, as their loved ones and friends mourn their untimely loss.
The investigation remains ongoing, and Essex Police have asked anyone with information, CCTV, or dashcam footage to come forward and assist with their inquiries.
The tragic deaths of Makyle, Eva, Anthony, and Daljang have left a deep void in the hearts of all who knew them. They will be remembered for their talent, kindness, and the bright futures that were taken from them far too soon.
