The family of a father-of-two who tragically lost his life while coming to the aid of a stranger in Sheffield has described his death as a reflection of the kind of person he was. Chris Marriott, 46, was on a Christmas walk with his wife and two young sons when he spotted an unconscious woman lying in the street. Without hesitation, he rushed to help her, but both of them were struck by a car along with several others. In a statement released through South Yorkshire Police, the family paid tribute to Chris, describing him as a wonderful husband, dad, brother, uncle, and friend to many. They took comfort in their belief that he is now with his Lord and Saviour, while urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
The woman Chris was assisting remains in hospital in a life-threatening condition. Reports indicate that the altercation leading to the incident may have been connected to a dispute between two families related to a wedding. In addition to Chris and the woman, an off-duty midwife and four other individuals also sustained injuries. The midwife had minor injuries, while another man suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Three women and a man experienced minor injuries.
A 23-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder and is currently in custody. Another individual, a 55-year-old man, was arrested on the same charges but has been released on bail.
Chris Marriott dedicated his life to helping others. He worked for the charity Community Money Advice (CMA) and was an active member of City Church Sheffield, where he contributed to the establishment and operation of the Jubilee Food Bank.
The news of Chris’ tragic death has deeply shocked ChristCentral, the church group that includes City Church Sheffield. In a statement, they expressed their heartbreak for Chris’ family and requested prayers for them during this unimaginably difficult time.
Local residents witnessed the incident, which occurred at the junction of College Close and College Court, near Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital. South Yorkshire Police officers are conducting house-to-house enquiries in the Burngreave area in their ongoing investigation, and anyone with information is urged to contact the police.
The circumstances surrounding Chris Marriott’s death highlight the extraordinary bravery and selflessness he exhibited. His tragic loss serves as a reminder of the importance of compassion and lending a helping hand to those in need.
