By Iwan Stone and Katherine Lawton and Tom Cotterill
07:55 29 Oct 2023, up to date 09:30 29 Oct 2023
- Adam Johnson is believed to have taken a blade to the neck through the match
An ice hockey star who’s believed to have taken a blade to his throat in a horrific harm throughout a sport has died aged 29, his household have stated.
Adam Johnson’s harm was so horrific it compelled the sport to be deserted and left traumatised followers in tears.
The American athlete is believed to have been caught within the neck by an ice hockey blade in a freak accident on the match between Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers at Utilita Arena Sheffield this night.
His mother Kari took to social media to share her heartbreak this morning – telling associates: ‘I lost half of my coronary heart at present.’
And his club stated they had been ‘really devastated’ by the information – paying tribute to ‘an ideal teammate and an unimaginable particular person along with his complete life forward of him’.
The Elite Ice Hockey League stated they had been ‘heartbroken’ to verify the ‘deeply upsetting’ information – and have postponed all video games scheduled to happen at present.
Devastated followers have taken to social media to share their grief for the Minnesota-born star, utilizing the hashtag ‘sticksoutfor47’ – a reference to the quantity Mr Johnson wore.
Around 8,000 followers noticed the nightmare collision final evening earlier than the sport was rapidly stopped and screens had been introduced onto the pitch to guard the gamers concerned. The match was later deserted.
Sharing the information, his club stated: ‘The Nottingham Panthers are really devastated to announce that Adam Johnson has tragically handed away following a freak accident on the sport in Sheffield final evening.
‘The Panthers wish to ship our ideas and condolences to Adam’s household, his associate, and all his associates at this extraordinarily tough time.
‘Everyone on the club together with gamers, employees, administration, and possession are heartbroken on the information of Adam’s passing.’
They added that their ideas weren’t simply with these closest to the athlete – however the followers and employees who noticed the incident.
The club additionally thanked the individuals who rushed to try to save him amid the horror incident.
They continued: ‘Adam, our quantity 47, was not solely an impressive ice hockey participant but additionally an ideal teammate and an unimaginable particular person along with his complete life forward of him.
‘The Club will dearly miss him and can by no means ever overlook him.’
One witness advised MailOnline that Mr Johnson tried to skate again to his workforce after the harm to his throat however collapsed earlier than he made it, prompting panicked scenes as gamers and medics rushed out to assist the stricken star.
Yorkshire Ambulance Service stated they had been referred to as at round 8.21pm earlier than sending two ambulances and a important care paramedic – with one man taken to hospital.
Devastated spectators who witnessed the accident had been left in ‘tears’ and hugging each other, with one saying ‘they will by no means recover from’ what they noticed.
‘It was horrible to see. People had been crying and passing out,’ one other shocked witness added.
The freak accident appeared to have been attributable to a Sheffield Steelers’ participant as he tried to sort out one other one of Mr Johnson’s teammates.
The northern club shared a press release from the Elite Ice Hockey League – including: ‘Everyone on the Steelers ship their condolences to Adam Johnson’s associate, household workforce mates.’
Footage reveals Mr Johnson being struck within the neck by a skate earlier than he then collapses. Bleeding closely, the hockey star manages to get to his ft as teammates scrambled to assist him.
Shocked followers had been left traumatised by the incident, with many taking to social media to share their horror on the accident.
Hockey followers have taken to social media this morning to share their heartbreak.
After witnessing the incident, one particular person wrote on X, previously identified as Twitter: ‘Stuff of nightmares on the panthers sport tonight, praying for Adam Johnson.’
Another wrote on Facebook: ‘My 17-year-old has come house in bits, he stated he cannot un-see what he is seen tonight. He’s white as a sheet. My ideas and prayers are with the groups concerned.’
Someone else shared: ‘My son and I had been there, watching play intensely. We simply hold hugging one another. Lots of upset people, so I do know we’re not alone.’
Another wrote on X: ‘That was undoubtedly the worst factor I’ve ever seen occur, I’m so sorry. We’re all completely sick with fear, praying for a miracle.’
A fifth added: ‘Really actually hope he is okay and information of his restoration is posted quickly. Thoughts and prayers to him and his household at this very anxious time.’
A spokesperson for Yorkshire Ambulance Service advised MailOnline: ‘We had been referred to as at 8:21 this night to the Sheffield Steeler’s sport at Sheffield area. We attended a male and despatched two ambulances and a important care paramedic, and we despatched one affected person to hospital.’
Nottingham Panthers posted on X: ‘Players are returning to the locker rooms.’
The account then supplied an replace that: ‘Fans have been requested to go away the constructing as a result of a significant medical emergency’
Nottingham Motorpoint Arena, which is the Panther’s house floor, later posted on X: ‘Our heartfelt ideas exit to Adam Johnson, his family members, all of the Panthers gamers, employees, followers and the entire ice hockey neighborhood, following his horrific harm this night.’
MailOnline has contacted Nottingham Panthers and South Yorkshire Police for remark.
American Mr Johnson beforehand performed for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
