The four students, who died at the scene, had all been inside the car.

Mr Hibbert and Mr Wol had been “outstanding members” of the Essex Rebels men’s basketball team, the university said.

Mr Bayley was a “talented basketball player” and a member of the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) basketball team.

Ms Darold-Tchikaya had multiple roles in the Essex Blades Dance Club and was active in other clubs and societies.

Vice-Chancellor at the university, 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.

“These were young lives filled with hope, promise, talent, and dreams for the future.

“They all played an active role in our community through clubs and societies and were well-known around the University.”

Essex Rebels Basketball also paid tribute. A club post on X, external said: “No words can fully express the incredible sadness everyone in the Rebels family is feeling.”