Sheffield: Inquest opens into death of 'Good Samaritan' Chris Marriott

Chris Marriott had been out for a family walk when he stopped to help a woman lying unconscious in the street

An inquest has opened into the death of a father-of-two who was hit by a car while helping an injured woman in Sheffield.

It comes as former colleagues paid tribute to "highly respected and very well-liked" Chris Marriott, 46.

Mr Marriott died after the collision on College Close, Burngreave, on 27 December which injured several others.

Hassan Jhangur, 23, was charged with murder and five counts of attempted murder following the incident.

Mr Marriott worked at Sheffield College for more than a decade until 2012.

Angela Foulkes CBE, chief executive and principal of the college, said: "Current and former staff have been in touch expressing their shock and sharing their memories of Chris, which are testament to the lasting positive impact that he had.

"Chris was a highly respected and very well-liked member of staff."

Floral tributes to Mr Marriott have been laid at the scene in College Close

Mr Marriott's roles included managing student services as well as coordinating student recruitment and financial support, Ms Foulkes said.

"Chris was a great person to work with," she added.

"He possessed a quiet strength of character, determination and a positive outlook that inspired colleagues.

"He was generous with his time and kind and considerate of others' feelings. He always looked for the best in others and had a good word for everyone."

An inquest into Mr Marriott's death opened at the Medico-Legal Centre in Sheffield on Thursday.

Senior coroner Tanyka Rawden adjourned the inquest until the conclusion of a criminal trial, which is due to begin on 15 July.

Mr Jhangur, of Whiteways Road, Sheffield, is expected to enter a plea at a trial preparation hearing at Sheffield Crown Court on 25 March.

He is also accused of trying to murder Alison Norris, an off-duty midwife who had also stopped to help, as well as Hasan Khan, Riasat Khan, Ambreen Jhangur and Nafeesa Jhangur.

Hassan Jhangur appeared at Sheffield Crown Court via video link on Tuesday

Described as a "Good Samaritan" by police, Mr Marriott had been out for a post-Christmas walk with his wife and two young sons when the incident took place at about 14:00 GMT.

Ms Foukes said he "helped to open doors for hundreds of students to study" during his time at Sheffield College.

He later set up one of the first food banks in the city, she added.

"Those students and his colleagues were eternally grateful for his support," said Ms Foukes.

"Nothing was ever too much trouble for Chris. He was kind and generous with his time. He really cared about students and staff alike."