Ice hockey. Photo: photosport
A man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter over the death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson, whose neck was cut during a match.
The Nottingham Panthers player was hit in the neck by the skate of a member of the Sheffield Steelers during the fixture on October 28th.
The 29-year-old was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
A post-mortem examination confirmed he died as a result of a fatal neck injury, South Yorkshire Police said.
The force said detectives arrested the suspect on Wednesday, adding that he remained in custody.
Detective Chief Superintendent Becs Horsfall, from South Yorkshire Police, said: "We have been carrying out extensive inquiries to piece together the events which led to the loss of Adam in these unprecedented circumstances.
"We have been speaking to highly specialised experts in their field to assist in our inquiries and continue to work closely with the health and safety department at Sheffield City Council, which is supporting our ongoing investigation.
"Adam's death has sent shockwaves through many communities, from our local residents here in Sheffield to ice hockey fans across the world."
She urged members of the public to refrain from "comment and speculation which could hinder" the police investigation.
The death of Johnson, who was from Minnesota in the US, sparked an outpouring of grief across the world.
He previously played in North America's National Hockey League (NHL), featuring 13 times for Pittsburgh Penguins.
He made the move to the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) for the 2020-21 season, before spells with the Ontario Reign and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the American Hockey League.
Johnson played for Augsburger Panther in Germany before switching to the Nottingham Panthers in August.
Johnson's inquest was opened and adjourned earlier this month.
In a prevention of future deaths report, coroner Tanyka Rawden called for compulsory use of neck guards in ice hockey following Johnson's death.
- This story was first published by the BBC
