FOUR people who died when their car careered up a pavement and ploughed into a building are said to have been students returning from a night out. The victims ware believed to be three men and a woman aged in their 20s who were studying at the University of Essex in Colchester. All of them died at the scene of the suspected high speed crash. The accident happened at 4.40am on Saturday when the driver went up the wrong side of the road and mounted the pavement, hitting a set of brick steps outside a house.

The car then became embedded in the corner of a building containing a second hand shop and a Thai massage parlour in Magdalen Street, Colchester. The impact was so great that bricks and debris was spread up to 50 yards up the road, according to shocked witnesses. The road remained closed for 22 hours while Essex Police began an investigation. Mike Davies, 66, a builder from Colchester, said: "Police told me the car was so badly damaged inside the building they couldn't even tell what make or model it was.

"They had to construct a temporary wooden platform to be able to take it out. They even had to bring in a JCB to help get it freed. The building is completely wrecked.". He added: "I've spoken to several people who said the car was going at high speed on the wrong side of the road. "There was a huge smash and everyone came out to try and help but they couldn't. "There was a huge number of police cars, fire engines and ambulances here.".

Retired taxi driver Colin Beattie, 78, who lives nearby said: "I am deaf in one ear, but I still heard an almighty bang. "I saw all the blue flashing lights of emergency vehicles. There were ambulances, fire engines and police by the dozen. "The car landed up on its side in the building. It looked a real mess, so it must have been hurtling down the road. "There were bits and pieces all down the road.".

Another resident Jodie Graves, 42, who was woken by the crash, said: "It was so loud that I thought I was dreaming until I saw my husband on the phone to the police. "When the police knocked for us at about 5am, we had put down the blinds. That was when they said, 'I recommend you don't look out there'. It was just surreal – we were told not to look.". "I was impressed by just how professional they all were. They have got their designated roles, and they were working non-stop all day.".

Alan Bolster, 44, said a police unit had placed the wreckage of the car in a wooden box before it was taken away on a low loader. He said: "We had to close the blinds again, so we didn't see anything we didn't want to see. The car was absolutely totalled.". Colchester borough councillor Kirkby Taylor said: "The car was completely trashed and took out a big chunk of the building. "Police had to bring in engineers to stabilise it and had to remove most of the frontage after the crash.

"It must have been on the wrong side of the road. It hit the set of steps before taking out a sign and a bollard, and hitting the building at speed. "I want to pass on my deepest condolences to the families. My heart really goes out to them. It is absolutely heartbreaking.". Brian Amey, 80, who runs Dusty's second hand shop in the building, said: "The shop is wrecked and we have lost our livelihood - but that is insignificant when you think of four lives being lost.

"We are desperately hoping that the building can be saved, and we are waiting to find out if that is possible.". Mr Amey opened his business around three-years-ago selling second hand bikes, lawnmowers and items such as crockery. His partner Fai Hatcher, 51, who runs the SP Thai Massage and Therapy parlour in the same building, said: "It is just terrible. "We rented the building and it is now destroyed. We want to carry on working, but we don't know if we will be able to come back.".

An Essex Police statement said: "We were called shortly before 4.40am on Saturday to reports a vehicle had been in collision with a building in Magdalen Street. "Emergency services attended but, sadly, four people died at the scene. Their families have been informed and will be supported by specialist officers. Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper said: "My thoughts, and those of everyone at Essex Police, is with the friends and families of the four people who died.

"I want to thank the businesses and residents in Magdalen Street area for their support and understanding today in what has been a really difficult and tragic situation. "I always want to pay tribute to emergency services personnel who have worked diligently, professionally, and compassionately to ensure the dignity of those who have died. "Our enquiries to establish what led up to the collision are ongoing and I need anyone with information to contact us.".

Essex Police are asking for help from with information, CCTV, dashcam or other footage in relation to the incident. Submit reports on the online Live Chat service on the Essex Police website which is available 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week. Please quote incident 179 of 1 February. Alternatively, contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.