Four students died after a car crash where the driver was over the alcohol limit and travelling more than 60mph above the speed limit, an inquest has heard.
Makyle Bayley, 22, Eva Darold-Tchikaya, 21, Anthony Hibbert, 24, and Daljang Wol, 22, died at the scene of the crash in Magdalen Street, in Colchester.
All four studied at the University of Essex and were born in London.
Essex Coroner’s Court heard on Friday that Mr Bayley was driving during the incident, which took place just before 4.40am on 1 February this year.
According to toxicology results, he had a blood alcohol level of about 2.5 times the drink drive limit.
Analysis of footage from a CCTV camera 170 metres away from where the car crashed also showed the car was travelling at about 94mph, give or take 6.3mph, in a 30mph zone.
Essex’s senior coroner, Lincoln Brookes, said the medical cause of death for Mr Bayley and Ms Darold-Tchikaya was severe traumatic head injuries.
Eight police officers injured in clash with protesters outside hotel believed to house asylum seekers
Southend Airport partially reopens after plane crash which killed four people
All four people killed in Southend plane crash thought to be foreign nationals, police say
For Mr Wol and Mr Hibbert, it was recorded as multiple injuries.
‘No possibility of these individuals ever being saved’
Mr Brookes said the three men were promising basketball players, and that the four had met up for an “ordinary night out as students”.
At the end of the evening, the coroner said all four had got into a black Ford Focus ST, before later being seen travelling at “great speed”.
He then told the court the vehicle crashed after its off-side wheel hit a small island and it went across the opposite carriageway, over the footpath, hitting steps outside a property.
It then sent the car turning and collided roof-first on its side into a building, ending up either wholly or partially inside the building.
“There was no possibility of these individuals ever being saved,” he said.
Read more on Sky News:
Boy died in school coach crash – as six children in hospital
Serious water pollution incidents in England up 60% last year
Follow our channel and never miss an update.
In statements read to the court by the coroner, Mr Bayley’s family described him as a “truly remarkable young man whose light and energy touched all who knew him”.
Mr Wol’s family said he was “always encouraging those around him to strive for the best,” and Ms Darold-Tchikaya’s family described her as a “calm and kind soul”.
Mr Hibbert’s family added: “He knew how to live life to the fullest.
“The void that he has left can never be filled and he will forever hold a special place in our hearts.”
