The family of a man who died when a car was driven into a crowd of people as he was trying to help a stranger, have said the circumstances of his death “show the sort of man he was”.
In a tribute released through South Yorkshire police, the family of Chris Marriott, 46, described him as a “wonderful husband, dad, brother, uncle – and friend to many”.
Marriott was walking in Sheffield with his wife and two young sons, aged eight and six, when he went to the aid of a woman he spotted lying unconscious in the street, police have said. As he was providing first aid to the woman, a car collided with them and others.
The family tribute said: “The circumstances of his death, although tragic and unfathomable to us his family, show the sort of man he was – to go to help rather than to turn away.
“Chris was also a man of faith who wanted others to also experience the joy he had found trusting in Jesus.
“We take comfort in these most difficult of times in our belief that he is with his Lord and Saviour, while we mourn his loss.
“We would urge anyone with any information to share this so that we can understand better the circumstances in which he died.”
The church Marriott attended, City Church Sheffield, which has four sites in the city, described him as a “valued and much loved” member and said he had previously been on the staff team.
The church group ChristCentral, which includes City Church, said: “Chris died doing what so many will remember him for – helping others. Our thoughts and prayers are obviously with his wife, and their two young sons. This is an unbelievably awful situation and we are heartbroken for the family.
“Please pray for them, for Chris’s wider family and friends, and for City Church Sheffield as they try to process this loss. May they all know God’s comfort and grace as they grieve and remember.”
Marriott was connected to the national Christian charity Jubilee+, which works with churches and people to help alleviate poverty. In a statement it said: “We are deeply shocked to hear of the tragic death of Chris Marriott, who has been a friend to Jubilee+ for many years and served as administrator of our annual conference for the last three events.”
He also worked for the charity Community Money Advice and helped set up and run the Jubilee food bank in Sheffield.
South Yorkshire police said it was believed the woman Marriott helped had been involved in an altercation between a group of people. Several others were injured in the incident, including an off-duty midwife who stopped to help.
A police spokesperson said the woman Marriott helped remained in hospital in a life-threatening condition. She said the off-duty midwife sustained minor injuries, another man received serious injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening, and four further people – three women and a man – sustained minor injuries.
Burngreave residents said the incident happened outside a house at the junction of College Close and College Court, two quiet cul-de-sacs of modern houses near Sheffield’s Northern general hospital. Neighbours said the altercation was connected to some kind of dispute between two families relating to a wedding.
Detective Ch Insp Andrew Knowles of South Yorkshire police said: “Increased patrols will continue in the area in the coming days and local people will continue to see officers carrying out inquiries, including going house to house to gather witness statements.
“There are people in that community who hold information which is vital to our investigation and have not yet given statements. I want to be able to get to the bottom of what happened for Chris and his family. I need those people with information to do the right thing.”
Two men were arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. A 23-year-old remains in police custody and a 55-year-old has been released on police bail.
