Good Samaritan Chris Kilbride, 24, has died. He was driving along the A64 near York on his way to work when the former footballer launched himself into the path of an oncoming lorry in a bid to take his own life

A van driver who witnessed troubled footballer Clarke Carlisle's suicide attempt has died.

Good Samaritan Chris Kilbride, 24, was driving along the A64 near York on his way to work when the former footballer launched himself into the path of an oncoming lorry in a bid to take his own life.

Mr Kilbride, a father-of-two from Leeds, jumped out of his car and rushed to the sports star's side before calling 999 - but said afterwards that he was left traumatised by the horrific scene.

The Sun reports that coroners in Leeds confirmed Mr Kilbride died on Thursday but did not give any further details.

His father, who is also named Chris, confirmed his son's death on Facebook, posting a message which said: 'It is with deep regret and a broken heart that i have to inform my friends that my son Chris Kilbride passed away yesterday.

'Thanks to all the people that have already passed on their thoughts. RIP son Im already missing you like crazy.....You will never leave my thoughts xxx.'

The Mirror reports it is believed Mr Kilbride and his girlfriend Brooke Bleasby were expecting their third child.

Carlisle also paid tribute to Mr Kilbride saying: 'It is tragic news. My sincerest condolences go out to his family at this time.'

In February Mr Kilbride revealed how the terrifying incident left him in a 'dark place', which includes flashbacks and nightmares.

He said he was so disturbed about what happened that he could not drive past the same spot - meaning he was forced to quit his job at a chicken farm.

Mr Kilbride told the Sunday People in February: 'I can't believe he ­survived. I expected him to pass away.

'I don't have any hatred towards him. He did what he did because he was in a bad place.

'But the consequences of his actions have now put me in a similar place. I'm not angry at him.

'Everyone deals with things differently. But because he did that, I've now got to deal with it.'

Detective Inspector Paul Hobson, from Leeds District CID, said: 'At 5.54am on Thursday July 2, police were called to an area off Temple Newsam Road following the discovery of a man's body.

'A member of the public had found the body near to the running track, close to the junction between Temple Newsam Road and Temple Newsam Gate, a short time earlier.

'Paramedics who attended the scene confirmed the man, who is believed to be a 24-year-old from Leeds, had died.

'At this stage the death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared in due course and passed to the coroner.

Carlisle paid tribute to Mr Kilbride saying: 'It is tragic news. My sincerest condolences go out to his family'

Carlisle, the former Leeds, Burnley and QPR defender, revealed earlier this year how he jumped in front of the lorry in December in a failed suicide attempt.

The 35-year-old had previously spoken about how he had struggled with mounting depression and a sense of worthlessness after he retired from professional sport in 2013.

He attempted to build a career as a pundit but lost a £100,000 role with ITV. He was then arrested for drink-driving just 36 hours before his suicide attempt.

Carlisle was critically injured during the collision and was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary.

He finally returned home from hospital earlier this year, after suffering internal bleeding, a broken rib and cuts and bruises.

Mr Kilbride described how he rushed to Carlisle's side as he lay in the middle of the road, in a pool of blood.

He said Carlisle was so still that he believed he was was dead. But he then saw Carlisle's arm move and realised he was conscious.

Another passer-by then stopped to help and Mr Kilbride continued talking to the call handler.

When the police arrived, he says he went to comfort the lorry driver, who was 'hysterical' and also had glass in his eye.

A few hours later, he received a voicemail from the lorry driver's wife, thanking him for comforting her husband.

Carlisle, who played for QPR and Burnley as a defender, threw himself in front of the lorry on the A64 Leeds to York dual carriageway on December 22 last year.