A man killed during the attempted assassination of Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania dived on his family to try to shield them from the bullets, the state’s governor has said.

Corey Comperatore, who was 50, died a “hero”, Governor Josh Shapiro told reporters.

“His wife shared with me that he [dived] on his family to protect them,” he added.

Two additional victims of the shooting are still in a critical condition, Mr Shapiro said.

Mr Comperatore lived in Sarver, Pennsylvania, authorities said.

He was an “avid supporter of the former president and was so excited to be there last night with him in the community”, Mr Shapiro said, adding: “Political disagreements can never, ever, be addressed through violence.”

He has ordered flags to be flown at half mast in the victim’s honour.

Mr Comperatore’s sister, Dawn Comperatore Schafer, said “hatred for one man” had taken the life of “the one man we loved the most”.

Her brother was a “hero that shielded his daughters”, Ms Comperatore Schafer said on Facebook.

“His wife and girls just lived through the unthinkable and unimaginable.

“My baby brother just turned 50 and had so much life left to experience.

“Hatred has no limits and love has no bounds.”

Mr Comperatore’s sister asked people to pray for her family.

The tragedy they are now living through “feels like a terrible nightmare but we know it is our painful reality”, she added.

Randy Reamer, president of the Buffalo Township volunteer fire company, said Mr Comperatore had served as chief of the company for about three years and was a “stand-up guy” and a “true brother of the fire service”.

He added: “Just a great all-around guy, always willing to help someone out.”