Charlottesville: Video captures moment counter-protester breaks leg pushing his fiancee out of path of car

Marcus Martin pushed Marissa Blair to safety before collision sent him flying through air

Footage has emerged of the moment a man was hit by a car at a Charlottesville white supremacy rally just seconds after pushing his fiancee out of the path of danger.

Marcus Martin was taking part in a counter-protest at the white supremacy march in Virginia when a car ploughed into crowds, killing one person and injuring dozens more.

The 27-year-old’s heroic actions meant his fiancee Marissa Blair was unhurt but he was struck by the Dodge Challenger.

Images show Mr Martin being thrown into the air after the car came into contact with him.

Writing on Facebook, Ms Blair said Mr Martin suffered a broken leg in the incident but was alive.

"A car intentionally ran through a crowd of peaceful counter protesters," she said.

"This is right when it happened. My fiancé pushed me out the way. He got hit, his leg is broke. We're alive."

Violence broke out earlier between those opposed to the removal of a statue from a local park of Civil War Confederate General Robert E Lee and counter-protesters.

Videos taken at the scene showed a car speeding down a street and into a crowd of people. Eye-witnesses claimed the car had been deliberately driven into the crowd.

A suspect, named as James Alex Fields Jr, 20, of Ohio, was arrested on charges including second-degree murder, officials said.

Hospital officials said at least 26 people had also been injured by the vehicle, while 15 more were hurt as a result of the fighting on the streets. Some were said to be in a life-threatening condition.

The woman who died, 32-year-old Heather Heyer, was a friend of both Mr Martin and Ms Blair and all three had driven to the rally together.