Tributes have poured in for a dancer with "beautiful soul" who died in horror car crash along with three student basketball players. Eva Darold-Tchikaya, 21, was with Anthony Hibbert, 24, and 22-year-olds Daljang Wol and Makyle Bayley, when their vehicle hit a building in Magdalen Street in Colchester, shortly before 4.40am on Saturday. And the University of Essex Student Section has shared a video of Eva dancing on their Instagram as a tribute. The clip was posted by Eva on her own social media on January 1 and people now have written their messages of sadness and condolences.

Eva posted the video with the comment: “2024 over n out. This year has been incredible and one for the books. To every teacher I’ve taken class from and to everyone who’s shown support THANK YOU. Dance journey continues, goodbye 24 and welcome 25.”. And one person wrote: “Rest in eternal peace Eva, you were loved by everyone who encountered you! You really were that girl with such energy and an unforgettable aura, sleep tight beautiful soul.” While another said: "I hope you're Dancing in the Sky Eva.”.

University of Essex acting vice-chancellor Professor Maria Fasli said all the students “played an active role in our community through clubs and societies” and had “young lives filled with hope, promise, talent, and dreams for the future”. In a statement, Professor Fasli added: “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.” Professor Fasli said the university would share details in the coming days of “a time and place for our university community to gather in remembrance”. Essex Police has appealed to the public for information following the crash. A spokesman said: "If you saw a black Ford Focus being driven along Magdalen Street or near vicinity at that time, have any CCTV, dash cam or doorbell footage, or have any information please get in contact with us.".

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.