Relatives of Chris Marriott, killed while giving first aid to a woman, say he was a man who would ‘help rather than turn away’
Family members of a man who died when a car crashed into a crowd of people while trying to help a stranger said the cases of his death “show what kind of person he was. “
In a tribute released by South Yorkshire Police, the family of Chris Marriott, 46, described him as a “wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle and friend to many”.
Marriott was walking through Sheffield with his wife and two young children, ages 8 and 6, when he came to the aid of a woman he saw unconscious in the street, police said. While offering first aid to the woman, a car crashed into them and others.
The tribute to the family read: “The cases of his death, tragic and unfathomable to us, his family, show the kind of person he was: to come to help rather than turn his back.
“Chris was also a man of faith who wanted others to also experience the joy he had found trusting in Jesus.
“We are comforted in these difficult times by our conviction that He is with His Lord and Savior, as we mourn His loss.
“We invite with data percentages of that data so that we can better perceive the cases in which he died. “
The church Marriott attends, City Church Sheffield, which has four sites in the city, described him as a “valued and much loved” member and said he had been part of the staff team in the past.
The devotional group ChristCentral, which includes City Church, said, “Chris died doing what so many other people would do: helping others. Our minds and prayers are, of course, with his wife and two young children. This is an incredibly horrific time scenario and we are heartbroken for the family.
“Please pray for them, for Chris’ circle of family and friends, and for City Church Sheffield as they try to triumph over this loss. May all know God’s favor and grace as they weep 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 has worked for the charity Community Money Advice and helped establish and manage 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 spokesman said the woman assisted by Marriott remained in hospital in life-threatening condition. He said the off-duty midwife suffered minor injuries, another man, whose life is not believed to be in danger, and four other people were seriously injured. The people (three women and one man) suffered minor injuries.
Burngreave citizens said the incident happened outdoors in a space at the junction of College Close and College Court, two quiet cul-de-sacs of posh homes near Sheffield’s North General Hospital. Neighbors said the altercation resembled some kind of dispute between two families during 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.”
A 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and a 55-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. Both remained in custody on Friday morning.