Four people have died in a horror car crash after a vehicle smashed into a building in Colchester, police have said.

said officers were called to Magdalen Street in the city in the early hours of Saturday morning to reports of a . The force said four people died at the scene, but they were unable to identify them or provide additional information as an investigation continues.

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Police arrived on the scene at 4.40am and immediately installed a cordon, with representatives saying at around 9am that the road was expected to "remain shut throughout the day". The public was told to avoid the area while investigators and officers worked, with police calling on people to plan journeys around the disruption.

The latest update from AA traffic news shows the road remains closed both ways due to a "crash investigation". A detour is in operation for the Bus Route S4.

A spokesperson for the force said: "We’re working with residents affected by the road closure about access to and from their properties. Our officers will be carrying out enquiries in the area to establish the circumstances which led up to the collision and we need anyone who has any information to contact us."

Stuart Hooper, the Temporary Assistant Chief Constable for Essex Police, said the force is now appealing for information relating to the smash. He said: "My thoughts, and those of everyone at Essex Police, is with the friends and families of the four people who died this morning.

"I want to thank the businesses and residents in the 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."

People who may have information, CCTV, dashcam or other footage showing the crash have been asked to contact investigators via the police non-emergency number 101, and quote the incident number 179 of 1 February. They can also submit a report on the service's website, or use its 24-hour in-house online live chat.

Those who would prefer to submit an anonymous report can do so via the independent charity Crimestoppers at its website or over the phone by calling 0800555111.