A coroner is set to review evidence regarding Adam Johnson’s tragic death, as part of the latest update to the ongoing investigation.
Nottingham Panthers player Johnson died on October 28 after being hit in the neck by an opposition player’s skate during a match at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena.
His death sent shockwaves through sport and has already seen a number of changes – such as compulsory neck guards – being implemented into the game.
Now, according to Nottinghamshire Live, the investigation is going to enter it’s next stage on Friday afternoon.
Evidence will be provided to Sheffield Coroner Tanyka Rawden at the end of the week. Rawden will then hold a case management review.
A coroner is set to review evidence regarding the death of former NHL player Adam Johnson
Evidence will be provided to Sheffield Coroner Tanyka Rawden at the end of the week
A man was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following Johnson’s death but has been released on bail to a date in the new year pending further inquiries.
It’s been reported that, in response to Johnson’s death, first aid kits have been given to all amateur ice hockey teams in Sheffield.
According the BBC, Spire Claremont Hospital have given kits to all 14 teams in the city, comprising about 500 players.
About 8,000 fans watched in horror when Panthers star Johnson’s throat was slashed in October after a collision with Steelers star Matt Petgrave in an incident labelled a ‘freak accident’ by his team.
The 29-year-old briefly stood up, bleeding profusely on to the ice, before collapsing again during the game in Sheffield’s Utilita Arena.
Johnson received immediate medical attention, with CPR performed on the ice, and was taken to hospital but could not be saved.
Neck guards will become compulsory at all International Ice Hockey Federation events including the Olympics after Johnson tragically died on the ice in October
In a Prevention of Future Deaths Report to Ice Hockey UK and the English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA), coroner Rawden said she is ‘sufficiently concerned that deaths may occur in the future if neck guards or protectors are not worn’, with both organisations given 56 days to say what action has been taken – or why action has not been taken.
The EIHA said neck guards will become mandatory from 2024 but the Elite League, in which the Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers compete, is not under its control.
The Elite Ice Hockey League said it will not make the use of neck guards mandatory but will ‘strongly encourage’ players and officials to wear them.