South Yorkshire Police has released a man who was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson, pending further investigations.
On October 28th, Mr Johnson, a star player for the Nottingham Panthers, tragically passed away after his throat was slashed in what has been described as a ‘freak accident’ by his team. During a game in Sheffield, the 29-year-old briefly stood up and bled heavily onto the ice before collapsing again. Despite receiving immediate medical attention, including CPR on the ice, he could not be saved and was taken to the hospital.
The identity of the arrested individual was not disclosed in accordance with UK law, but South Yorkshire Police announced yesterday that a man was taken into custody on Tuesday for suspected manslaughter. Today, the police department stated that he has been released on bail and investigations are ongoing, with a court date set for the New Year.
Detective Chief Superintendent Becs Horsfall announced yesterday that their investigation into the tragic loss of Adam has been ongoing since the incident occurred.
They have been working closely with experts in the field and the health and safety department at Sheffield City Council to piece together the events leading up to Adam’s death. The communities affected by this tragedy, from local residents to ice hockey fans worldwide, can expect a fair and sensitive investigation. The public is urged to refrain from speculation that could hinder the process.
The inquest into Mr. Johnson’s death has been opened and adjourned, and Sheffield’s senior coroner has called on governing bodies to take action to prevent future deaths. The EIHA has announced that neck guards will become mandatory from 2024, but the Elite League will only strongly encourage their use.
