An MP and former lecturer has said the deaths of four students in a crash would leave a city’s university “torn apart”.

Makyle Bayley, 22, Eva Darold-Tchikaya, 21, Anthony 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.

They were all students at the University of Essex, where Pam Cox, Colchester’s Labour MP, was a professor of social history and criminology.

“I know what will be going on there. They look after their students so well, they will rally round, but they will be absolutely torn apart by this,” said Ms Cox.

She continued: “It’s just devastating, absolutely awful.

“I can’t imagine what it must be like, as a parent your heart absolutely goes out. Four young people in Colchester cut off in their prime.

“I wouldn’t want to speculate as to causes or the nature of what happened, but once we know a bit more about it, we can look to see if any improvements can be made in that specific area.”

The university said all the students had a played an active role on campus through clubs and societies and were well-known.

It said Mr Hibbert and Mr Wol had been “outstanding members” of the Essex Rebels men’s basketball team, while Mr Bayley was a member of the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) basketball team.

Ms Darold-Tchikaya was a member of the Essex Blades Dance Club, as well as other societies.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Maria Fasli, said the “whole university is in mourning”.

“They touched the lives of so many of us at Essex: their friends, classmates, the teams they played for, and the staff with whom they spent time,” she said.

Essex Police said the students, who died at the scene, had all been inside the car.

The force said it was not believed any other vehicles were involved. It has appealed to anyone who saw a black Ford Focus being driven in the area to come forward.