'Hero' father killed in front of his three children as he broke up fight
Kevin O’Connell fell into the path of a car after intervening
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A young father was killed in front of his three children after being hit by a car as he intervened in an argument.
Kevin O’Connell, 33, was hailed a “hero” by police after he fell into the path of the vehicle in Burton Road, Derby.
Mr O’Connell had got out of his own car to attempt to break up an altercation between two men, at about 1pm on Saturday.
Sergeant Darren Muggleton, of Derbyshire Police, said: “We are in the early stages of the investigation but it appears that Mr O’Connell had stopped his car to try to break up a disagreement between two men.
“One man ran off and Mr O’Connell was chasing him when he fell into the path of a car that was passing. This tragic incident was witnessed by his three children. He died a hero trying to help a member of the public he thought was being victimised.”
Two men, aged 27 and 34, who were involved in the argument were arrested on suspicion of assault on each other and were bailed after being questioned.
Officers have spoken to several witnesses and are conducting house to house enquiries to gather information about exactly what happened.
Anyone who witnessed the incident should contact Sgt Muggleton on 101.