Horror as car involved in fatal crash was so damaged police 'couldn't work out the model'

Four radical who died successful a collision successful Essex person been named by constabulary (Image: Essex Police)

A horrific car clang successful which 4 radical died near the conveyance truthful severely damaged the constabulary initially couldn't archer what exemplary it was, a study suggests.

The car smashed into a gathering successful Magdalen Street, Colchester, Essex, successful the aboriginal hours of Saturday (February 1), according to police.

The four radical killed successful the crash were named by constabulary connected Sunday arsenic University of Essex students Makyle Bayley, Eva Darold-Tchikaya, Anthony Hibbert and Daljang Wol. All 4 died astatine the scene, according to Essex Police.

Essex Police said connected Saturday that their families are being supported by specializer officers. This day the unit urged anyone who saw a achromatic Ford Focus driven successful oregon adjacent Magdalen Street to get successful touch, adding police bash not judge different vehicles were involved.

The car deed the country of a gathering lodging a secondhand store and Thai massage parlour. Police were called to reports of the clang astatine 4.40am.

The car smashed into a gathering successful Magdalen Street, Colchester (Image: East Anglia News Service)

The roadworthy was closed for astir 24 hours arsenic officers from Essex Police investigated. Witnesses to the country person said debris from the gathering was disposable immoderate 50 yards from the clang site.

Builder, Mike Davies, 66, from Colchester, claimed constabulary told him the car was truthful severely damaged wrong the gathering that they were incapable to archer what marque oregon exemplary it was.

He added: "They had to conception a impermanent woody level to beryllium capable to instrumentality it out. They adjacent had to bring successful a JCB to assistance get it freed. The gathering is wholly wrecked."

Mr Davies told MailOnline determination was a "huge smash" and locals tried to assistance but couldn't.

Retired taxi operator Colin Beattie, 78, said: "I americium deaf successful 1 ear, but I inactive heard an almighty bang. I saw each the bluish flashing lights of exigency vehicles. There were ambulances, occurrence engines and constabulary by the dozen.

Fai Hatcher (pictured) described what happened arsenic 'just terrible' (Image: East Anglia News Service)

"The car landed up connected its broadside successful the building. It looked a existent mess, truthful it indispensable person been hurtling down the road. There were bits and pieces each down the road."

Jodie Graves, 42, was woken by the dependable of the crash. She told MailOnline it was truthful large she thought she was dreaming until she heard her hubby connected the telephone to the police.

When officers visited Ms Graves and her hubby they recommended they didn't look astatine the scene.

Richard Kirkby-Taylor, a councillor astatine Colchester Borough Council, suggested the car was connected the incorrect broadside of the roadworthy and deed the gathering astatine speed.

He said: "I privation to walk connected my deepest condolences to the families. My bosom truly goes retired to them. It is perfectly heartbreaking."

Brian Amey, 80, runs the secondhand store successful the building, portion his partner, Fai Hatcher, 51, runs the Thai massage parlour.

Mr Amey said the store is wrecked but that was insignificant erstwhile considering 4 lives person been lost. Ms Hatcher described what happened arsenic "just terrible".

Temporary Asst Ch Cons Stuart Hooper from Essex Police said: "I privation to widen my condolences to the friends and household of Makyle, Eva, Anthony, and Daljang. This volition beryllium an incredibly hard clip for them and we person specializer officers supporting them.

"Our specializer Serious Collision Investigation Unit is investigating what led up to the collision but astatine this signifier we bash not judge immoderate different vehicles were involved.

"I again privation to convey each the attending exigency services for their efforts to support the dignity of those who died and to the assemblage for their enactment and co-operation. If you person immoderate accusation astir what happened, delight interaction us."

Anyone with information, CCTV, dashcam oregon different footage relating to the incidental has been asked to interaction the force, quoting incidental 179 of 1 February, oregon to interaction autarkic foundation Crimestoppers anonymously connected 0800 555 111.