Following the tragic death of Adam Johnson during an ice hockey game, an inquest has now been opened into his death.
As previously reported, wearing the number 47 jersey for the Nottingham Panthers, Johnson met with a tragic fate during Saturday's face-off against the Sheffield Steelers at the Utilita Arena.
The 29-year-old player suffered a severe neck injury, which ultimately proved fatal.
A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police offered insights into the incident, stating via The Mirror: "We were called at 8:25 PM on Saturday, October 28, to reports that a player had been seriously injured... Sadly, he was later pronounced deceased at the hospital."
While the police diligently continue their investigation, they emphasized the importance of refraining from speculation surrounding this devastating incident.
In their heartfelt tribute to Johnson, the Panthers stated: "Adam, our number 47, was not only an outstanding ice hockey player but also a great teammate and an incredible person with his whole life ahead of him."
As reported by BBC News, inquest proceedings will officially open at the Medico-Legal Centre in Sheffield on Friday, where authorities will delve into the details surrounding this heart-wrenching incident.
The Nottingham Panthers have labeled Johnson's death as a "freak accident," emphasizing the devastating and unexpected nature of the tragedy.
South Yorkshire Police has been diligently scrutinizing available video footage of the incident. The investigative process is expected to be extensive, and authorities have cautioned that it will take some time to unravel the circumstances surrounding this incident.
The Panthers have extended an invitation to their loyal fans to join a memorial event at their home stadium.
The Motorpoint Arena will open its doors at 5:30PM GMT on Saturday, allowing supporters to come together and pay their respects.
At 8:20PM GMT, a two-minute silence will be observed in memory of Johnson.
In the wake of this tragic incident, the club has initiated an official fundraising campaign with the blessing of Johnson's family. Furthermore, a commemorative ice hockey puck, designed to honor the player's memory, was unveiled on Wednesday.
Funds raised from the sale of these pucks and the accompanying fundraising efforts will be channeled toward charitable endeavors in Johnson's hometown of Hibbing, Minnesota.
The young athlete's hockey journey included stints in North America's National Hockey League, where he played 13 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Johnson later ventured overseas to the Swedish Hockey League for the 2020-21 season, followed by tenures with the Ontario Reign and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the American Hockey League. He also donned the jersey of the Augsburger Panther in Germany before making a move to the Nottingham Panthers in August.
BBC News reported that Johnson was allegedly not wearing a neck guard at the time of the accident. This claim has sparked a discussion within the ice hockey community about the importance of player safety equipment.
Our thoughts continue to be with Johnson and his loved ones.
