The family of an ice hockey player who was fatally slashed during a game has described watching the final horrific moments.
On Saturday, during a Challenge Cup match between the Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers at the Utilita Arena, an accident saw the Panthers' Adam Johnson, 29, suffer from a severe neck injury, which ultimately proved to be fatal.
Speaking to The Mirror, a spokesperson for the South Yorkshire Police confirmed that the number 47 jersey had succumbed to his injuries the day after.
"We were called at 8.25PM on Saturday 28 October to reports that a player had been seriously injured during a Sheffield Steelers versus Nottingham Panthers game at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield," the statement read. "Officers attended the scene alongside other emergency services and one man, aged in his 20s, was taken to hospital with serious injuries. Sadly, he was later pronounced deceased at hospital."
Adam Johnson tragically died following an accident during a game. Credit: Joe Sargent/NHLI/Getty"Our officers remain at the scene carrying out inquiries and our investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident remains ongoing," it continued before concluding: "We would encourage the public to avoid speculation regarding the incident while we continue our inquiries."
Upon confirmation of the American player's death, the Panthers took to social media to post a tribute to the late sportsman, emphasizing that he was a well-loved and crucial member of the team.
"The club will dearly miss him and will never ever forget him. 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," they wrote in an emotionally-charged post.
"The Panthers would like to send our thoughts and condolences to Adam's family, his partner, and all his friends at this extremely difficult time. Everyone at the club including players, staff, management and ownership are heartbroken at the news of Adam's passing," they added.
Johnson's family members have now spoken out about watching the harrowing moment from the player's hometown of Minnesota.
His aunt, Kari Johnson, said that she was watching her nephew play via a livestream with his father and grandmother when tragedy struck.
"It was terrible, it was horrific, we didn't know what to do," she told Sky News from her home state.
She also stated that the family "knew right away he was in trouble" but there was "nothing we could do."
A Tribute to Nottingham Panthers ice hockey player Adam Johnson during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa. Credit: Marc Atkins/GettyLast night (November 5), there was a vigil held for the 29-year-old at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham.
"It means a lot to us to see how much everybody thought of our boy," Johnson's aunt said of the vigil. "He liked it there [Nottingham], he thought the fans were great, he was meeting some of them and really enjoying it.
"It means a lot to our family. It means the world," she added.
A formal funeral will be held on Sunday in Johnson's hometown of Hibbing, Minnesota.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this incredibly difficult time.
