Father-of-two died while helping unconscious stranger when car ploughed into crowd

‘A Good Samaritan, who stepped in to help a stranger in their time of need, has lost his life’

A FATHER-OF-TWO who died after a car ploughed into a crowd of people during a disturbance was a Good Samaritan who was trying to help a stranger, police have said.

The 46-year-old who died in the incident in College Close, in the Burngreave area of Sheffield, has been named as Christian Marriott.

South Yorkshire Police said Mr Marriott, who was known as Chris, was out for a post-christmas walk 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 just after 2pm on Wednesday. Officers believe he left his family and stopped to provide first aid to the woman, before a car then collided with them both and a number of others. It is believed the woman had been involved in an altercation and several other people suffered injuries during the incident, including an off-duty midwife who had also stopped to help. The violence was said to have broken out following a wedding ceremony at a local mosque, with two families reportedly arguing at the groom’s semi-detached home.

Det Ch Insp Andrew Knowles said: “This is an utterly heartbreaking case in which a Good Samaritan, who had stepped in to help a stranger in their time of need, has lost his life. Chris leaves behind a loving family including his devastated wife and two young sons. We are absolutely determined to secure justice for Chris and his loved ones following this horrific tragedy.”

Two men arrested in connection with the incident – a 23-year-old on suspicion of murder and a 55-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder – remain in custody for questioning, the force said.

Police said they were called to the cul-de-sac “following reports of violence and disorder” at about 2pm and a car collided with a group of people as the call was under way.

Local resident Tarek Nayli, 49, said: “I heard a lot of shouting. When I came out, I found people all gathering around and people fighting. One guy had a lot of blood on his face.”