Crash victim ‘devoted his life to others’, says family

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Chris Marriott worked for a charity in Sheffield and was a member of City Church
By PA Media & Tim Dale
BBC News

A man who was killed when he was hit by a car as he was giving first aid to an unconscious woman in a street died “helping others”, his church has 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.

A spokesperson for City Church, of which Mr Marriott was a member, said everyone was “deeply shocked”.

Two men arrested over the incident remained in custody, police said.

In a statement, the Sheffield City Church spokesperson said: “Chris died doing what so many will remember him for – helping others.”

Mr Marriott’s death was “tragic” and the “thoughts and prayers” of church members were with his family, they added.

“This is an unbelievably awful situation and we are heartbroken for the family,” the spokesperson said.

“Please pray for them, for Chris’ wider family and friends, and for City Church Sheffield as they try to process this loss.”

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

Mr Marriott worked for the Community Money Advice (CMA) charity and had helped set up and run Sheffield’s Jubilee Food Bank.

According to the CMA website, he was the charity’s IT manager but he had previously worked as a debt adviser at an affiliated debt advice centre in South Yorkshire.

Mr Marriott had also worked for a large museums group and had spent time “working for his local church, overseeing a number of community-based projects”, it said.

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.

Mr Marriott 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.

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.”

A 23-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident, and a 55-year-old man who had been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, remained in custody, according to South Yorkshire Police.

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

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