Sheffield murder inquiry: Crash victim devoted his life to others, say family

Mr Marriott's family said he devoted much of his life to helping others

A man who was killed when he was hit by a car as he was helping an unconscious woman in a street had "devoted his life to others", his family said.

Chris Marriott, 46, described by police as a "Good Samaritan", was helping the woman in Sheffield on Wednesday when he and several others were hit by the car.

His family have urged anyone with information to contact police.

Two men have been arrested in connection with the incident. One has since been released on bail.

In a statement, Mr Marriott's family said: "Chris was a wonderful husband, dad, brother, uncle - and friend to many.

"He devoted much of his life to helping others.

"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."

'Unbelievably awful'

They said he was a "man of faith" who wanted others to experience the "joy he had found trusting in Jesus".

They urged anyone with information to contact police so that they could "understand better the circumstances in which he died".

Mr Marriott was a member of Sheffield City Church, which said: "Chris died doing what so many will remember him for - helping others."

His death was "tragic" and the "thoughts and prayers" of church members were with his family, a spokesperson said.

"This is an unbelievably awful situation and we are heartbroken for the family," they added.

At the scene: Oli Constable, reporter, BBC Yorkshire

Floral tributes have been laid close to the scene where Mr Marriott died

There's glass sprawled across the road, near to where Chris Marriott was hit and killed.

Flowers are propped up against the mangled street sign, on the corner of College Close and College Court.

On Wednesday this was a scene of utter devastation.

A man who came to lay flowers stood for a couple of minutes, looking at the spot where Mr Marriott died, before silently walking away with his head bowed.

Mr Marriott worked as an IT manager for the Community Money Advice (CMA) charity and its chief executive Heather Keates said the whole team was "heartbroken".

"It genuinely feels like we've lost a family member," she said.

She said the fact he was helping someone when he died was "Chris all over".

"He saw someone that needed some help, he didn't put his own safety first. It was typical of who he was as a man."

Ms Keates said what had happened was an "absolute tragedy" for his young family.

"They are going to need their community. In the way that Chris helped his community, the community are going to need to gather round and help that family."

The scene in the aftermath of the incident was described by one eyewitness as a "disaster"

South Yorkshire Police said Mr Marriott had been out walking in the Burngreave area of Sheffield on Wednesday afternoon with his sons, aged six and eight, when the incident happened.

He was among several people injured when the car hit them, including an off-duty midwife who had also stopped to help, the force said.

A police spokeswoman said the woman Mr Marriott had been helping remained in hospital in a life-threatening condition.

The off-duty midwife had suffered minor injuries in the crash, while another man had received serious injuries which were not believed to be life-threatening and four other people - three women and a man - suffered minor injuries, she added.

Among those injured was a 19-year-old man who suffered stab wounds, police said.

He was treated in hospital and later discharged. A knife was recovered at the scene, the force added.

South Yorkshire Police said there would be increased patrols in the area

Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, said Mr Marriott's death was a "heartbreaking tragedy".

"He died as he sought to help another person," Dr Billings said.

"We all need to reflect on how violent behaviour brings grief and misery. It never solves issues, but only makes matters worse."

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the deputy leader of the city council Fran Belbin wrote: "Those of us in the Burngreave community and across Sheffield who knew Chris are devastated by his loss.

"He was a kind and generous neighbour who I also had the privilege to work with in recent years, tackling food poverty during the pandemic."

A 23-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder remains in police custody.

A 55-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder has been released on police bail.

Increased patrols would take place in the area as investigations continued, the force added.